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Publication Number
US-10946168-B1
Publication Date
2021-03-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
A urinary catheter having a sensor or indicator affixed therein in a location that will be in the flow of urine when catheter is in use. The indicator comprises an electrolytic wicking material having an anode and a cathode thereon separated across the gap. The wicking material may be paper. The indicator further includes an output transducer positioned and connected relative to the anode and cathode such that a circuit which energizes the output transducer is created when urine flows. The indicator is configured to generate an output signal received at a remote location so that a medical practitioner can monitor proper usage of the catheter.
Core Innovation
The invention is a smart urinary catheter that includes a flexible catheter tube having a proximal end leading to an outlet and a rounded distal tip with one or more openings leading to an internal lumen extending the tube length. A usage indicator is affixed within the catheter so as to be exposed to urine, where the usage indicator includes a porous substrate having a spaced-apart anode and cathode pair thereon. Urine flows through the catheter and wets the indicator such that electrolytic ion flow between the anode and cathode pair is passed when wetted.
An output transducer is positioned and connected with connecting wires or current carrying pathways relative to the anode and cathode such that an electrical current which energizes the output transducer is created when urine flows and wets the indicator. The output transducer is configured to generate an output signal adapted to be received at a remote location. In the smart catheter form, the porous substrate is affixed within the catheter such that the output transducer is out of a direct flow of urine through the catheter.
The disclosed implementations include structural arrangements and sensor constructions intended to keep electrical elements out of direct urine flow, including outlet geometries such as a flared funnel with an inward flange forming an opening narrower than the tube lumen and positioning of a usage indicator upstream or downstream relative to the flange. The porous substrate is further described as being configured for ion flow and being made of paper or electrolyte-infused paper, with associated elements including anode and cathode and the output transducer being formed by depositing or printing on the porous substrate.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive concepts cover a urine-wet porous anode/cathode usage indicator that energizes an output transducer to generate a remote-received output signal, with the output transducer positioned out of direct urine flow in the smart catheter form.
Urine-exposed porous anode/cathode usage indicator energizing output transducer
A urinary catheter with a usage indicator affixed within the catheter and exposed to urine, where the usage indicator comprises a porous substrate having a spaced-apart anode and cathode pair thereon, and an output transducer positioned and connected with connecting wires relative to the anode and cathode such that an electrical current which energizes the output transducer is created when urine flows through the catheter and wets the indicator, the output transducer configured to generate an output signal adapted to be received at a remote location.
Porous substrate passing electrolytic ion flow with output transducer out of direct urine flow
A smart urinary catheter where the usage indicator comprises a porous substrate configured to pass an electrolytic ion flow between an anode and cathode pair thereon when wetted and an output transducer configured to be energized by a current flow and connected to the anode and cathode with current carrying pathways, the output transducer capable of generating an output signal to be received at a remote location, with the porous substrate affixed within the catheter such that the output transducer is out of a direct flow of urine through the catheter.
Both independent claims center on a urine-wetted porous substrate carrying spaced anode/cathode elements that create ion/electrolytic current to energize an output transducer producing a remote output signal. The smart urinary catheter claim further specifies that the output transducer is out of direct urine flow through the catheter.
Stated Advantages
Provides an output signal adapted to be received at a remote location.
Positions the output transducer out of a direct flow of urine through the catheter.
Documented Applications
Usage indicator for usage tracking and compliance via a distinctive signal received at a remote location, including remote devices such as a smartphone.
Detection or generation of additional urine metrics is mentioned conceptually as potentially supported by the output signal generating circuitry.
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