Dual-purpose urinary catheter drain line and collection bag
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10751213-B2
Publication Date
2020-08-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A sterile dual-purpose closed intermittent urinary catheter system that may be used as either a drain line or a collection bag. A catheter resides within an inner cavity of an extensible sheath and may be extracted from a forward end through an outlet hub for insertion into the urethra. A valve at a rearward end of the sheath may be opened to permit the sheath to function as a drain line, or closed to permit the sheath to function as a collection bag. The sheath has an extended length substantially longer than the catheter length, and may be compressed in an accordion fashion or folded to a compact packaged shape. The urine may be collected in the sheath with the valve closed, or drained straight into a toilet with the valve open. The system may have a source of lubrication to wet the catheter.
Core Innovation
The invention is a dual-purpose urinary catheter system comprising a flexible outer tubular sheath having an extended length L and a significantly smaller lateral width W when flat, with an inner cavity, a forward end, and a rearward end. The outer sheath is a thin polymer tube configured to be folded longitudinally at lateral fold lines to a folded length and then extended longitudinally to the extended length L by straightening out the fold lines. A urinary catheter is disposed within the inner cavity, with the catheter having a front end and a length l that is shorter than the extended length L of the outer sheath.
An outlet hub is secured within the outer sheath adjacent the forward end and defines a throughbore sized to permit extraction of the catheter front end. A valve is secured within the outer sheath adjacent the rearward end and is either closed or opened to permit fluid flow through the valve. When the system is extended to the extended length L, the catheter system functions as a collection bag when the valve is closed and as a drain line when the valve is open.
The extended length L is sufficiently long so that, when a user holds the outlet hub while seated adjacent and not on a toilet, the valve is suspended over the toilet, with the weight of the valve helping to keep the valve over the toilet. In additional embodiments, the outer sheath includes sealed, removable forward and/or rearward segments using lateral weakness/score lines to expose the outlet hub and/or valve for mode conversion, and the rearward segment may be removed to switch the system between collection bag and drain line functionality.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims for a dual-purpose urinary catheter system, describing a set of inventive features that enable a single extended, foldable catheter-sheath device to function either as a collection bag or as a drain line by using an outlet hub and a valve controlled by whether the rearward portion of the sheath remains intact or is removed.
Foldable thin polymer outer sheath deployable to extended length
A flexible outer tubular sheath having an extended length L and a significantly smaller lateral width W when flat, an inner cavity, a forward end and a rearward end, wherein the outer sheath is a thin polymer tube that may be folded longitudinally at lateral fold lines to a folded length and is configured to extend longitudinally to the extended length L by straightening out the fold lines.
Catheter disposed within shorter catheter length than sheath
A urinary catheter disposed within the inner cavity of the outer sheath, the catheter having a front end and a length l, wherein the length l of the catheter is shorter than the extended length L of the outer sheath.
Outlet hub with throughbore for extraction of catheter front end
An outlet hub secured within the outer sheath adjacent the forward end, the outlet hub defining a throughbore sized to permit extraction of the catheter front end.
Rearward valve selectively closed or opened for fluid flow to enable two modes
A valve secured within the outer sheath adjacent the rearward end, wherein the valve may be either closed or opened to permit fluid flow therethrough, and wherein when extended longitudinally to the extended length L the catheter system functions as a collection bag when the valve is closed and a drain line when the valve is open.
Extended length positioning with valve weight over toilet
The extended length L is sufficiently long so as to extend from the outlet hub held by a user while seated adjacent and not on a toilet to the valve suspended over the toilet, the weight of the valve helping to keep the valve over the toilet.
Rearward removable sealed sheath segment via lateral weakness/score line
The outer sheath extends in a rearward segment to the rearward end and is sealed, and the outer sheath has a lateral line of weakness or score line in the rearward segment which permits removal of the rearward segment.
Mode selection based on rearward segment intact vs removed
When extended longitudinally to the extended length L the catheter system functions as a collection bag when the rearward segment is left intact or a drain line when the rearward segment is removed.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive concept is an extended, foldable thin polymer outer tubular sheath with an internal catheter, an outlet hub for extraction, and a rearward valve that enables selection between collection bag and drain line modes, with placement of the valve over a toilet supported by extended length and valve weight, and with an embodiment that uses a sealed rearward sheath segment removably separated by a lateral weakness/score line to switch the mode.
Stated Advantages
Allows the catheter system to function as a collection bag when the valve is closed.
Allows the catheter system to function as a drain line when the valve is open.
Suspends the valve over the toilet when the user is seated adjacent and not on a toilet, aided by the weight of the valve.
Provides mode conversion by removing a sealed rearward segment so the system can function as a collection bag or as a drain line depending on whether the rearward segment is left intact or removed.
Documented Applications
A seated user adjacent to and not on a toilet, where the system suspends the valve over the toilet for drain line operation.
Collection bag mode and drain line mode selection during use of the dual-purpose urinary catheter system.
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