Methods of dispensing a urinary catheter from a sterile package
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10980974-B2
Publication Date
2021-04-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
A packaged closed intermittent urinary catheter system equipped with a dispensing system and method of dispensing a packaged catheter using the dispensing system. The dispensing system is a pair of separately translatable movement control devices, each operably engaging the catheter for permitting unidirectional movement of the catheter in a first axial direction relative to the movement control devices. The movement control devices may be mounted to a hand-grippable assembly with a sliding or pivoting movable member reciprocal to a base member. Alternatively, the movement control devices are mounted to a coupling member and a spring member biases them apart.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a method of dispensing a catheter from a closed intermittent urinary catheter system using sterile flexible packaging that defines a closed reservoir with an outlet opening. The reservoir retains a catheter having a longitudinal axis and a distal insertion tip positioned adjacent to and aimed toward the outlet opening, and a pair of movement control devices each is mounted around and in direct contact with the catheter to permit unidirectional movement of the catheter in a first axial direction relative to the movement control devices.
The movement control devices each include a locking member that moves to an unlocked position upon relative distal movement of the catheter to allow relative distal movement, and moves to a locked position upon relative proximal movement to prevent further relative proximal movement. A latch is configured to be operable and manipulable from outside the flexible packaging to hold the locking members in their unlocked positions during dispensing and insertion, while coordinated manual manipulation from outside the reservoir advances the catheter distally through the outlet opening.
The invention enables repeated dispensing and switching between unlocked and locked states such that proximal displacement can be performed after insertion into the urethra and advancing toward a bladder. Handle grip and coupling mechanisms translate coordinated pushing and pulling or reciprocating and squeezing motions into relative displacement of the movement control devices, while maintaining the unidirectional movement behavior through the locking member structure. One embodiment further includes a third movement control device and a collapsible extension of bag that is unlocked based on urethral pressure collapse to permit distal catheter movement.
Claims Coverage
The document provides multiple independent methods for dispensing a catheter from a closed intermittent urinary catheter system. The independent claims center on coordinated movement control devices with locking members that allow unidirectional distal catheter movement while preventing proximal retraction, and on handle or coupling structures that translate external manual manipulation into relative displacement of the movement control devices.
Externally manipulable latch holding unlocked locking members
A latch in operable engagement with each locking member of the first and second movement control devices and manipulable from outside and through the flexible packaging, configured to be actuated and hold the locking members in their unlocked positions.
Unidirectional distal movement with locking members
First and second movement control devices each mounted around and in direct contact with the catheter, each having a locking member that moves to an unlocked position upon relative distal movement of the catheter therein to allow relative distal movement of the catheter, and moves to a locked position upon relative proximal movement of the catheter to prevent further relative proximal movement of the catheter.
Handle grip with reciprocating movable member translating movement control devices
A handle grip with a hand graspable base member fixedly attached to the second movement control device and a movable member reciprocally engaged to the base member and fixedly attached to the first movement control device, wherein reciprocation of the movable member relative to the base member causes relative displacement of the first and second movement control devices.
Longitudinally separated movement control devices integrally formed with coupling member and spring bias
First and second longitudinally separated movement control devices in direct contact with and operably engaging the catheter, integrally formed in one piece with a coupling member that connects the movement control devices and has a spring member configured to bias the movement control devices apart.
Finger-actuable button reciprocally engaged to casing
A hand graspable casing fixedly attached to one of the movement control devices and a finger actuable button reciprocally engaged to the casing and fixedly attached to the other movement control device, with reciprocation of the button relative to the casing causing pulling apart and pushing together of the movement control devices along the catheter.
Movable member integrally formed with pivoting handle member
A handle grip with a hand graspable base member fixedly attached to the second movement control device and a movable member reciprocally engaged to the base member and fixedly attached to the first movement control device, wherein the movable member is formed integrally with the base member and pivotally disposed for reciprocal movement in a distal-proximal direction within a channel in the base member through which the catheter passes.
Compressible coupling member with coil spring biasing movement control devices apart
The first and second movement control devices are separately inserted into a compressible coupling member that connects the movement control devices and has a separate coil spring arranged around the coupling member configured to bias the movement control devices apart.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is directed to dispensing a catheter from a closed intermittent urinary catheter system by coordinating movement control devices that include locking members providing distal advancement in a first axial direction and preventing further proximal movement via locked positions. The claims further cover handle and coupling structures that translate external manual manipulation into relative displacement of the movement control devices to perform repeated advancement cycles.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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