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Publication Number
US-10912918-B1
Publication Date
2021-02-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A rigid package or container for a sterile pre-lubricated, ready to use female-length catheter with enhanced gel receptacles and simple constructions. A main body of the rigid container has a hollow interior which may receive a gel receptacle defining an inner cavity filled with a lubricating gel. The gel receptacle partly inserts into the main body and a tube of the catheter inserts through the gel receptacle into the main body with a proximal outlet projecting out of the gel receptacle so as to be graspable. Alternatively, the gel may be provided within the hollow interior of the main body. A rigid and closed cap seals to either the main body or the gel receptacle and closes the hollow interior of the main body.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a urinary catheter package that includes a rigid generally tubular main body with a distal closed end and a proximal open mouth, where the main body defines a hollow interior. The package further includes a gel receptacle with a distal section and a proximal section, the distal section having an inner cavity at least partly filled with lubricating gel, and the gel receptacle is inserted through the open mouth of the main body into the hollow interior such that the distal section is within the main body.
The gel receptacle and catheter arrangement is configured so that a concentric space is formed around the catheter tube within the distal section of the gel receptacle. In this configuration, the lubricating gel remains on the catheter tube when the tube is retracted from within the gel receptacle, while the catheter tube’s distal tip extends past the distal opening of the distal section and remains within the hollow interior during retraction.
The package additionally includes a rigid cap secured to the proximal section of the gel receptacle, the rigid cap being solid without openings to seal the urinary catheter within the hollow interior in a sterile manner. In the described configuration, a gel receptacle outer circumferential rib at one end of the proximal section is sized to interfere with the open mouth such that the proximal section remains outside the hollow interior of the main body.
Claims Coverage
The claims coverage presents 5 inventive features.
Rigid generally tubular main body with hollow interior
A rigid generally tubular main body having a distal closed end and a proximal open mouth, the main body defining within itself a hollow interior.
Gel receptacle inserted into the hollow interior with defined openings and inserted relation to catheter
A gel receptacle having a distal section defining an inner cavity at least partly filled with a lubricating gel and a proximal section, the distal section having a distal opening and a proximal opening leading to the proximal section, and the proximal section having an open proximal end, wherein the gel receptacle is inserted through the open mouth of the main body and into the hollow interior.
Outer circumferential rib interfering with the open mouth to keep proximal section outside the hollow interior
The gel receptacle having an outer circumferential rib at one end of the proximal section sized to interfere with the open mouth such that the proximal section remains outside the hollow interior of the main body.
Catheter inserted first through proximal opening so distal tip extends past distal opening and concentric gel-retaining space is formed
A urinary catheter having an elongated flexible tube defining a closed distal tip with one or more flow openings and a proximal outlet attached to a proximal end of the tube and having a throughbore in communication with a lumen of the tube, wherein the tube of the urinary catheter is inserted first into the open proximal end of the proximal section and extends through the entire gel receptacle such that the distal tip extends past the distal opening of the distal section and is within the hollow interior of the main body and at least a portion of the outlet remains outside the main body, wherein a concentric space is formed around the tube within the distal section of the gel receptacle such that lubricating gel remains on the catheter tube when the tube is retracted from within the gel receptacle.
Solid rigid cap without openings to seal in sterile manner
A rigid cap secured to the proximal section of the gel receptacle, the rigid cap being solid without openings so as to seal the urinary catheter within the hollow interior in a sterile manner.
The inventive features combine a rigid tubular main body, an inserted gel receptacle with an outer circumferential rib, a catheter arrangement that retains lubricating gel during retraction, and a solid rigid cap that seals the catheter in a sterile manner.
Stated Advantages
Seals the urinary catheter within the hollow interior in a sterile manner using a rigid cap that is solid without openings.
Maintains lubricating gel on the catheter tube when the tube is retracted from within the gel receptacle.
Simplifies embodiments relative to prior gel containers requiring user-inserted gel by providing simplified package structures with internal gel retention and sealed sterile packaging.
Reduces component count and facilitates easier assembly/gel filling as stated for manufacturing and automation advantages.
Documented Applications
Packaging a female-length pre-lubricated urinary catheter in a sterile rigid package configured to keep lubricating gel on the catheter during retraction and to prevent a “dry tip” in optional embodiments.
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