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Publication Number
US-12144933-B2
Publication Date
2024-11-19
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. There may be multiple anode/cathode pairs connected in series or parallel to increase voltage or current. Also, a capacitor and/or an antenna may be provided for the output transducer to boost the output signal.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a urinary catheter having a flow indicator affixed therein so as to be exposed to urine. The flow indicator includes a porous substrate configured to pass an electrolytic ion flow between an anode and cathode pair thereon when wetted by urine, and when urine flows through the catheter and wets the indicator, an electrical current is created that energizes an output transducer connected to the anode and cathode.
The output transducer is configured to generate an output signal adapted to be received at a remote location, such that monitoring is performed by monitoring the output signal at the remote location. In an embodiment, the output transducer generates an output signal indicating when urine flows and, for a particular urinary catheter, includes a unique signature for that particular urinary catheter.
The porous-substrate flow indicator is implemented in conjunction with output transducer construction and signal handling features such as a porous paper or electrolyte-infused paper substrate and, optionally, an output transducer connected to an antenna and a capacitor arrangement. The invention further supports electrical configurations including multiple anode and cathode pairs connected in series or in parallel, and it enables monitoring of output signals of a plurality of urinary catheters.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent methods. Across the independent claims, the inventive concept is realized through a urine-wetted porous substrate that enables electrolytic ion flow between an anode and cathode to energize an output transducer generating a remote-detectable signal, and through extension of this approach to monitoring multiple urinary catheters, including unique-signature signaling per catheter.
Remote monitoring using electrolytic ion flow and energized output transducer
Providing a urinary catheter with a flow indicator affixed therein so as to be exposed to urine, the flow indicator comprising a porous substrate configured to pass an electrolytic ion flow between an anode and cathode pair thereon when wetted, and the flow indicator further including an output transducer connected 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 being configured to generate an output signal adapted to be received at a remote location, and monitoring the output signal at the remote location.
Unique signature output signal for a particular catheter and monitoring plurality
Providing a urinary catheter having a flow indicator affixed therein so as to be exposed to urine, the flow indicator comprising a porous substrate configured to pass an electrolytic ion flow between an anode and cathode pair thereon when wetted, and the flow indicator further including an output transducer connected 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 having a unique signature for that particular urinary catheter and being configured to generate an output signal indicating when urine flows and the unique signal, and monitoring the output signals of a plurality of the urinary catheters.
Both independent claims center on urine-wetting of a porous substrate that enables electrolytic ion flow between an anode and cathode pair to energize an output transducer that generates a remote-detectable signal. The second independent claim adds a unique signature for each urinary catheter and extends monitoring to output signals of a plurality of urinary catheters.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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