Vapor-Hydrated Catheter Packaging With Draw Element Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, such as hydrophilic intermittent urinary catheters, require hydration using a hydration medium that maintains contact with a liquid, which can be inconvenient and potentially unsanitary.
Innovation Solution
A package design with separate compartments and a vapor permeable barrier allows a vapor donating liquid to hydrate a medical device without direct liquid contact, using a draw element like a hydroscopic osmolyte to transfer vapor across the barrier and activate hydrophilic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid hydration medium is used to hydrate the medical device, then the device can be properly activated, but direct liquid contact may be inconvenient and potentially unsanitary
Solution Approach 1:
A vapor-permeable barrier is introduced as an intermediary between the liquid hydration medium and the medical device. The barrier allows water vapor to pass through while preventing direct liquid contact, enabling device hydration through vapor phase while eliminating hygiene and convenience issues associated with direct liquid contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydration medium transitions from liquid phase to vapor phase to hydrate the medical device. The liquid hydration medium donates water vapor that passes through the vapor-permeable barrier and contacts the device, utilizing phase transition to achieve hydration without direct liquid contact.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a vapor permeable barrier is used to separate liquid and device compartments, then direct liquid contact is prevented, but vapor transfer efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophilic draw element is introduced as a mediator within the device compartment to enhance vapor transfer. The draw element actively draws water vapor through the vapor-permeable barrier and concentrates it at the device surface, maintaining hygiene while improving vapor transfer efficiency and hydration rate.
Solution Approach 2:
Passive vapor diffusion through the barrier is replaced with an active drawing mechanism. The hydrophilic draw element creates a vapor concentration gradient that actively pulls water vapor through the barrier and directs it to the device, replacing passive diffusion with an enhanced transport mechanism.
3Productivity
If the medical device is placed in direct contact with the hydration medium, then hydration is efficient, but the device may become contaminated or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses vapor phase hydration instead of liquid phase contact. Water vapor passes through the vapor-permeable barrier and hydrates the device surface, maintaining hydration efficiency while preventing contamination and damage that would occur with direct liquid contact.
Solution Approach 2:
A vapor-permeable barrier film is used to separate the liquid hydration medium from the medical device. The thin film allows vapor transmission while providing a protective separation that prevents direct liquid contact, ensuring both hydration efficiency and device integrity.
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
The solution ensures efficient hydration of medical devices like urinary catheters without direct liquid contact, enhancing convenience and hygiene while maintaining device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
A vapor donating liquid is located in the first compartment, and the vapor donating liquid donates a vapor
Implementation Method 2
The vapor donating liquid donates a vapor that passes through the vapor permeable, liquid impermeable barrier
Implementation Method 3
The draw element comprises a hydroscopic osmolyte that includes glycerol and the draw element draws the vapor from the first compartment across the barrier and into the second compartment
Implementation Method 4
The catheter includes at least a portion comprising a hydrophilic material that is activated by the vapor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A medical device product (10) comprises a package (12) defining an interior cavity (14). The interior cavity includes a first compartment (16) and a second compartment (18) that are separated by a vapor permeable barrier (20). A vapor donating liquid (22) is located in the first compartment, and the vapor donating liquid donates a vapor (28). A medical device (24) and a draw element (26) are located in the second compartment. The medical device includes at least a portion that is activated by the vapor. The draw element draws the vapor from the first compartment across the barrier and into the second compartment. The vapor activates the portion of the medical device.