Vent Adaptor Assembly With PTFE Filter For Urinary Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional urinary catheter drainage systems face issues such as vapor lock, kinks, and negative pressures that can restrict urine flow, increase the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), and hinder accurate intra-abdominal pressure measurements due to the presence of vents.
Innovation Solution
A vent adaptor assembly with a sintered porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filter that allows gas flow while preventing fluid flow, integrated with a flow regulator and polycarbonate components, to maintain atmospheric pressure and improve fluid dynamics within the drainage system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vents are coupled to the drainage system to alleviate fluid flow problems, then fluid flow is improved, but intra-abdominal pressure measurements are prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is segmented into separate functional pathways: a vent pathway with a hydrophobic membrane for gas flow, and a drainage lumen for fluid flow and pressure measurements. This segmentation allows the vent to alleviate fluid flow problems while the sealed drainage lumen remains available for accurate intra-abdominal pressure measurements when the vent is capped during measurement procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydrophobic membrane acts as an intermediary component in the vent pathway, allowing water vapor and gases to pass through while blocking liquid urine. This intermediary enables the vent to improve fluid dynamics by preventing vapor lock without creating a direct opening that would compromise pressure measurement accuracy when the vent is capped.
2Device complexity
If conventional drainage systems are used, then simplicity is maintained, but fluid flow is restricted due to vapor lock and kinks
Solution Approach 1:
The vent adaptor assembly serves multiple functions within a single integrated component: it provides a vent pathway with hydrophobic membrane for gas permeability, includes a cap for sealing during pressure measurements, and maintains a drainage lumen for fluid flow. This multi-functionality improves fluid flow by preventing vapor lock while adding minimal complexity to the overall system.
3Productivity
If vents are added to prevent vapor lock, then fluid flow is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent pathway, hydrophobic membrane, cap, and drainage lumen are merged into a single integrated vent adaptor assembly that connects to the existing drainage system. This consolidation enhances fluid flow by preventing vapor lock while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity through integration rather than adding separate components.
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 enhances urine flow, reduces the risk of CAUTI, and enables accurate intra-abdominal pressure measurements by minimizing fluid backpressure and maintaining atmospheric pressure within the drainage system.
Implementation Method 1
The sintered porous PTFE filter defines a plurality of pores therein
Implementation Method 2
a sintered porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filter that allows gas flow while preventing fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
a sintered porous PTFE filter that is directly welded to a component of the vent adaptor assembly
Implementation Method 4
The sintered porous PTFE filter is directly welded to a component of the vent adaptor assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to vent adaptor assemblies including a vent adaptor, methods of making such vent adaptor assemblies, method of using such vent adaptor assemblies, and urinary drainage bag systems including such vent adaptor assemblies. In an embodiment, a vent adaptor assembly includes a filter that is configured to permit gas (e.g., air) to flow therethrough, while simultaneously at least partially preventing fluid present within the vent adaptor assembly (e.g., urine) from flowing therethrough.