Valved Drainage Member Assembly for Urine Backflow Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices, such as urinary catheters, suffer from uncontrolled urine flow into the drainage member, leading to rapid filling of the collection bag and potential urine backup into the drainage member.

Innovation Solution

A drainage member with a valve system that controls fluid flow between the drainage member and the collection container, featuring a lumen with varying diameters and a valve mechanism to prevent backflow, secured by a cover support member and a valve seat, made of materials like EPDM rubber or silicone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a drainage member allows free fluid flow into the collection container, then drainage efficiency is improved, but urine backup into the drainage member occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage efficiencyVSAvoidurine backup

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A valve member is introduced as an intermediary component between the drainage member and collection container. The valve member includes a valve body with a valve seat and a movable closure element that selectively opens to allow drainage and closes to prevent backup, mediating the fluid flow between the two components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve system operates automatically based on fluid pressure dynamics. When drainage is needed, the valve opens automatically; when the collection container fills or pressure reverses, the valve closes automatically to prevent backup, requiring no manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a valve mechanism is added to control fluid flow, then prevention of urine backup is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine backup preventionVSAvoidvalve mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element of the valve is made from flexible materials such as EPDM rubber or silicone. These elastomeric materials allow the closure element to flex and seal against the valve seat automatically based on pressure differential, providing effective backup prevention without complex mechanical actuation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The valve system utilizes changes in fluid pressure parameters to control flow direction. The valve responds automatically to pressure differential changes - opening when drainage pressure exceeds backpressure, and closing when pressures equalize or reverse, eliminating the need for complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the lumen diameter is reduced to prevent backflow, then urine backup is prevented, but drainage efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackflow preventionVSAvoiddrainage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage system is segmented into two functional zones: a larger-diameter lumen in the drainage member for efficient urine flow, and a controlled valve opening in the collection container端 for preventing backup. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve mechanism serves as an intermediary that decouples the lumen diameter from backflow prevention. The full-bore lumen maintains drainage efficiency while the valve member controls flow at the collection container interface, eliminating the need to reduce lumen diameter for backup prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Effectively manages urine flow to prevent backflow into the drainage member, ensuring controlled drainage and reducing the risk of urine backup, while allowing seamless attachment to collection containers.

Implementation Method 1

the first resilient portion is biased toward the second resilient portion... the first resilient portion and the second resilient portion are movable between a first configuration in which the valve opening is open and a second configuration in which the valve opening is closed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12527681B2Medical device assemblies including a valved drainage member

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 HOLLISTER INCORPORAED

AI summary

A medical device assembly comprises a drainage member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body defining a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is in fluid communication with a medical device at the proximal end. The lumen is also in fluid communication with a collection container at the distal end. The drainage member body is attached to the collection container. The body includes a valve configured to control fluid flow between the drainage member and the collection container.