Monolithic Self-Intermittent Catheterization System With Attached Extension

Abstract

A monolithic self-intermittent catheterization system contains a catheter fixed to a connector, and an extension tube that is fixed to the catheter. Accordingly, the catheter, connector, and the drainage tube all fluidly communicate with each other. A quick release retainer may be used to retain the extension tube in a compact state, whereby a user can readily release the extension tube for ease of use. Yet further, the extension tube is made from a non-resilient material and has no shape memory, thereby also enhancing the ease and safety of use.

Claims

1. A self-intermittent catheterization system comprising: a catheter having a first open end and a second open end; a connector having a third open end and a fourth open end, said third open end fixed to said second open end to provide fluid communication between the catheter and the connector; and an extension tube having a fifth open end and a sixth open end, said fifth open end fixed to said fourth open end to provide fluid communication between the connector and the extension tube, wherein said self-intermittent catheterization system is a monolithic system.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said extension tube is retained in a compact state, and wherein said system further comprises a quick-release restraint to retain said extension tube in said compact state.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said extension tube is retained in a coiled or folded state.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said extension tube is non-resilient.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said extension tube has no shape-memory.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein said quick-release restraint is a tear-away strap.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein said quick-release restraint is a paper band and tab adhesively fixed about said extension tube.

8. A self-intermittent catheterization system comprising: a catheter having a first open end and a second open end; a connector having a third open end and a fourth open end, said third open end fixed to said second open end to provide fluid communication between the catheter and the connector; and an extension tube having a fifth open end and a sixth open end, said fifth open end fixed to said fourth open end to provide fluid communication between the connector and the extension tube, wherein said self-intermittent catheterization system is a monolithic system, and, said extension tube is retained and configured in a compact state prior to use.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said extension tube is retained in a coiled or folded state.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising a quick-release retainer strapped about the compact extension tube.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said quick-release retainer is a tear-away strap.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said quick-release retainer is a paper band and tab fixed about said extension tube.

13. A self-intermittent catheterization system comprising: a catheter having a first open end and a second open end; a connector having a third open end and a fourth open end, said third open end fixed to said second open end to provide fluid communication between the catheter and the connector; an extension tube having a fifth open end and a sixth open end, said fifth open end fixed to said fourth open end to provide fluid communication between the connector and the extension tube, and a system package containing a wet portion for lubricating said catheter, and, a dry portion for housing the connecter and extension tube, wherein said self-intermittent catheterization system is a monolithic system, and, said extension tube is retained and configured in a compact state.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said extension tube is retained in a coiled or folded state.

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising a quick-release retainer strapped about the compact extension tube.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said quick-release retainer is a tear-away strap.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein said quick-release retainer is a paper band and tab fixed about said extension tube.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein said quick-release retainer is formed with a quick-release tab to affect ease of release.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein said package has one or more tabs at one or more respective outer areas of the package, for ease of opening said package.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein said wet portion is a wet chamber, and, said dry portion is a dry chamber formed from a plastic material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary monolithic self-intermittent catheterization system, in an unreleased state.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of a second exemplary embodiment of a monolithic self-intermittent catheterization system, again in an unreleased state.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary connector in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a released state.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an exemplary package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, a novel monolithic self-intermittent catheterization system 10 is provided. The term monolithic indicates that the system components identified herein are provided or integrated within a single assembly, thereby enhancing the safety and simplifying the use of the self-intermittent catheterization system for the user. The components can be fixed in a known manner, or, the components can be chemically welded, such as with a cross-linking and/or solvent processing, for example. A catheter 12, formed in a known manner, has a first open end 14 for insertion into a urinary tract, and a second open end 16. A handle or connector 18 contains a third open end 20 and a fourth open end 22, wherein the third open end 20 is connected to the second end 16, thereby affecting fluid communication between the catheter 12 and the connector 18, for drainage of an associated urinary tract. The catheter 12 may be pre-lubricated as packaged, or, the catheter 12 may be lubricated after it is removed from its packaging.

[0020] In accordance with the present invention, an extension tube 24 contains a fifth open end 26 and sixth open end 28, wherein the fifth open end 26 is fixed to the fourth open end 22, thereby affecting fluid communication with the connector 18 and the catheter 12. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the extension tube 24 may be coiled or folded upon itself, or provided in a compact state, to thereby provide a packaging advantage by reducing the size and amount of packaging materials, and by also facilitating the separate dry storage of the extension tube 24 within the associated packaging.

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary package 30 for a monolithic catheterization system of the present invention. As shown, a housing 31 contains a wet portion or chamber 32 for maintaining a lubricated catheter 12. As also shown, a dry portion or chamber 34 is juxtaposed to the wet chamber 32, and may for example, be a dry area 34 formed by a polymeric material or bag 36 surrounding the connector 18 and the coiled or folded extension tube 24. If desired, the package 30 may be formed with one or more quick-release tabs 42 that are designed to easily pull away a housing cover 44 from the enclosed package 30 to provide access to the catheterization system 10, thereby addressing the need of those with limited dexterity.

[0022] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the compact, coiled, or folded extension tube 24 may be formed from a material that when uncoiled or unfolded, does not retain a memory of its former coiled or folded state, and thereby relaxes in its released state. Stated another way, the material may be a polymeric or other suitable material that exhibits a non-memory or non-resilient release from its folded or coiled packaging configuration. The term non-resilient as used herein indicates that the polymer does not return to its coiled, folded, or packaged state once it is released from the package. The term non-memory as used herein indicates that the polymer does not return either wholly or partially, to its compact state. Exemplary materials used to form the drainage tube 24 and the connector 18 may include, but are not limited to, extruded unreinforced silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). FIG. 5 illustrates how the drainage tube 24 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is preferably relaxed when released from its packaged or coiled state.

[0023] Yet further, and in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the packaged extension tube 24 is retained in a coiled or folded state by a quick-release retainer 38. For example, the retainer 38 may be tear-away tape, or a paper band or tie adhesively fixed about the coiled or folded extension tube 24, wherein the retainer 38 contains a tab 40 that may be readily pulled by the fingers, mouth, or teeth of the user, to thereby release the drainage tube 24 from its packaged state. In this way, the self-intermittent catheterization system 10 may be readily removed from the packaging 30 and arranged for use by the user.

[0024] The components of the present invention may be made from polymers as indicated herein, and may be formed by known processes. Other suitable materials may also be used so long as they are suitable in the catheter art and so long as they comply with the features as indicated herein, so long as the drainage tube 24 is flexible and non-resilient for example. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,194,509, 7,537,589, 9,731,093, 9,821,139, and 10,207,043 exemplify related art and are incorporated by reference as if fully stated.

[0025] It will be understood that the foregoing descriptions of various embodiments of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only. As such, the various structural and operational features herein disclosed are susceptible to a number of modifications, none of which departs from the scope of the present invention as described above, shown in the drawings, and as stated in the appended claims.