Methods of urging a catheter from a closed urinary catheter system
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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
The invention provides an ergonomic sterile closed intermittent urinary catheter system in which an intermittent urinary catheter is located within a collection bag having an inner cavity defining a collection volume. The collection bag is formed by two panels sealed together and includes an outlet formed in one end, while an internal through hole is defined by inner edges of the panels.
A bridge portion between the through hole and a lateral outer peripheral edge creates an internal channel within the inner cavity, and an indent co-extensive with the through hole is formed on the lateral outer peripheral edge. The system is configured so a user can grip the catheter from outside the collection bag between the through hole and the lateral outer peripheral edge and urge the catheter forward or backward, extending or retracting the catheter through the outlet.
In manufacturing variations, the internal channel is formed using elongated through holes and an elongated bridge between adjacent seams of the through holes, with an internal channel open to the inner cavity between the through holes. A flexible sleeve fitted around the bridge includes frictional features for enhanced gripping of the catheter from outside the collection bag, and outlet features can include a rigid gripping hub with an introducer tip and a sterile cap.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims are clm-00001 and clm-00011. Across these independent claims, the coverage centers on a closed urinary catheter system configured for outside gripping and controlled forward/backward urging of an intermittent urinary catheter through an outlet, using an internal through-hole-defined channel in the collection bag, with claim 11 additionally requiring a flexible sleeve with frictional gripping features.
Through-hole-defined internal channel enabling outside gripping
forming a collection bag having an inner cavity defining a collection volume therein, the collection bag having two panels sealed together and having an outlet formed in one end, the collection bag further having an internal through hole defined by inner edges of the panels, wherein a bridge portion of the collection bag between the through hole and a first lateral outer peripheral edge creates an internal channel within the inner cavity, the first lateral outer peripheral edge having an indent co-extensive with the through hole, and an intermittent urinary catheter located within the inner cavity having a forward end located at the outlet and an adjacent portion passing through the internal channel
Outside gripping between through hole and peripheral edge with forward/backward urging through outlet
the closed urinary catheter system is configured for gripping the catheter from outside the collection bag between the through hole and the first lateral outer peripheral edge and urging the catheter forward or backward to respectively extend or retract the catheter through the outlet
Elongated through holes forming elongated bridge and internal channel open to cavity
forming a collection bag from two panels sealed together at outer peripheral edges forming an inner cavity that defines a collection volume therein, the collection bag having an outlet and internal through holes defined by aligned inner edges of the panels, the through holes both being elongated to form an elongated bridge in the panels between adjacent seams of the through holes and to define an internal channel open to the inner cavity between the through holes
Flexible sleeve around bridge with frictional features for enhanced outside gripping
a flexible sleeve outside the collection bag fitted around the bridge and having frictional features thereon for enhanced gripping of the catheter
Outside gripping between through holes with forward/backward urging through outlet
wherein the closed urinary catheter system is configured so a user can grip the catheter from outside the collection bag between the through holes and urge the catheter forward or backward to respectively extend or retract the catheter through the outlet
The independent claim set focuses on forming a collection bag with internal through-hole geometry that creates an internal channel aligned to an outlet, positioning the intermittent urinary catheter with its forward end at the outlet, and configuring the system so a user grips the catheter externally and urges it forward or backward to extend or retract it through the outlet. Claim 11 further adds a flexible sleeve fitted around an elongated bridge with frictional features to enhance outside gripping.
Stated Advantages
Ergonomic gripping of the catheter from outside the collection bag between the through-hole region(s).
Enhanced gripping of the catheter using a flexible sleeve having frictional features.
Documented Applications
Manufacturing a closed urinary catheter system for intermittent urinary catheter use, configured to allow a user to extend or retract the catheter through an outlet while gripping externally.
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