Closed system with intermittent urinary catheter feed
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11285292-B2
Publication Date
2022-03-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
A sterile closed intermittent urinary catheter system which is an easier to use by virtue of ergonomic shaping to facilitate advancement and retrieval of the catheter from the collection bag. The bag may have a closed internal hole adjacent an indent in one edge that creates a narrow channel through which the catheter passes. The narrow channel is located near to and in alignment with an outlet assembly so that the catheter extends from the narrow channel directly to the outlet. A user may easily grasp the catheter from outside the bag at the narrow channel and urge the catheter forward or backward to alternately extend and retract it through the outlet. A flexible pusher sleeve with gripper features may be added around the narrow channel to further facilitate catheter advancement.
Core Innovation
A closed urinary catheter system is provided that includes a flexible collection bag defining a collection volume in an inner cavity. The flexible collection bag has two flexible matching panels sealed together at outer edges, with an outlet formed in one longitudinal end, and an internal through hole defined by inner edges of the matching panels sealed together.
An indent in one lateral outer edge of the collection bag is co-extensive with the through hole such that a portion of the bag between the through hole and the indent creates a narrow internal channel within the inner cavity. An intermittent urinary catheter is located within the inner cavity with a forward end located at the outlet, and an adjacent portion of the catheter passes through the narrow internal channel directly in between the matching panels so that a user may grip the catheter from outside the bag at the narrow internal channel and urge the catheter forward or backward.
The forward or backward urging alternately extends and retracts the catheter through the outlet. Variations include an elongated through hole and a narrow bridge and indent arrangement that forms a narrow internal channel open to the inner cavity, with the through hole being elongated in the same direction as the collection bag. Additional outlet and catheter-handling structures are described, including a one-way feed lock, an external flexible sleeve with frictional features, and an outlet gripping hub with optional gel reservoir for lubrication.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims (clm-00001 and clm-00012) that share the central concept of a closed urinary catheter system with a narrow internal channel in a flexible collection bag. Each independent claim includes multiple inventive features that define the bag geometry and the catheter handling arrangement.
Flexible collection bag with sealed matching panels and outlet end
A flexible collection bag having an inner cavity defining a collection volume, two flexible matching panels sealed together at outer edges, and an outlet formed in one longitudinal end.
Internal through hole and co-extensive indent forming a narrow internal channel
An internal through hole defined by inner edges of the matching panels sealed together and an indent in one lateral outer edge co-extensive with the through hole such that a portion of the bag between the through hole and the indent creates a narrow internal channel within the inner cavity.
Intermittent urinary catheter positioned for external gripping and alternately urged extension and retraction
An intermittent urinary catheter located within the inner cavity with a forward end at the outlet and an adjacent portion passing through the narrow internal channel directly in between the matching panels so that a user may grip the catheter from outside the bag at the narrow internal channel and urge the catheter forward or backward to alternately extend and retract it through the outlet.
Elongated through hole creating an elongated narrow bridge and open narrow internal channel
An internal through hole elongated in the same direction as the collection bag so as to create an elongated narrow bridge in the matching panels between the through hole and an adjacent seam defining an indent, forming a narrow internal channel open to the inner cavity between the through hole and the indent.
Across clm-00001 and clm-00012, the inventive coverage centers on a closed urinary catheter system where a flexible collection bag’s through hole plus adjacent indent or bridge creates a narrow internal channel between matching panels. An intermittent urinary catheter is positioned so that a user grips it from outside the bag at the narrow internal channel and alternately urges it forward or backward to extend and retract the catheter through the outlet.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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