A DEVICE TO ASSIST IN SELF INSERTION OF A CATHETER TUBE INTO THE URETHRAL ORIFICE OF WOMEN

Abstract

The present invention is a device to assist in the insertion of a catheter tube into the urethral tract of women The device simplifies the finding of the location of the external urethral orifice and widens the orifice so that women patients may perform self-insertions of a catheter into the external orifice of the urethral tract for medical treatments without the assistance of a physician or a caregiver and with substantialy reduced discomfort. The device is constructed of: a vaginal insertion portion, a catheter tube guiding portion, at least two wing structures configured to widen the urethra orifice and a vaginal insertion element. Both the vaginal insertion portion and the catheter tube guiding portion of the UCAD are constructed as plates having elongated configurations. The vaginal insertion portion and the catheter tube guiding portion connect at one of their edges in a spatial configuration that forms an L shaped structure. The vaginal insertion portion of the UCAD has a configuration designed to be placed in the vagina, adjacent to the pubic symphysis of a treated women patient. The catheter tube guiding portion has a hole at the unconnected edge. Through the hole the catheter tube is inserted into the urethral tract of a treated patient. The catheter tube is removable from the hole in the catheter tube guiding portion without having to remove the catheter tube from the orifice of urethral tract, as explained below. The vaginal insertion element is connected to the vaginal insertion portion. The wing structures connect to the catheter tube guiding portion and protrude from the rim of said hole in the catheter tube guiding portion.

Claims

1) A device for assisting in the insertion of a catheter tube into the external orifice of the urethral tract of women, comprising: a vaginal insertion portion, a catheter tube guiding portion, at least two wing structures configured to widen the urethral orifice, a vaginal insertion element, wherein, said vaginal insertion portion and said catheter tube guiding portion each comprise a plate structure having an elongated configuration, wherein, said vaginal insertion portion and said catheter tube guiding portion connect at one of their edges in a spatial configuration that forms an approximate L shaped structure, wherein, said vaginal insertion portion has a configuration to be placed adjacent to the pubic symphysis of women. wherein, said vaginal insertion element is connected to said vaginal insertion portion, wherein, said catheter tube guiding portion has a hole at its unconnected edge through which said catheter tube is inserted into said orifice of urethral tract, wherein, said wing structures connect to said catheter tube guiding portion and protrude from the rim of said hole in said catheter tube guiding portion.

2) The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein, said hole in said catheter tube guiding portion has a gap in the circumference of the hole that leads to the external surrounding of said catheter tube guiding portion.

3) The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the device includes a hole closing bar element that reversibly connects to the edge of said catheter tube guiding portion not connected to said vaginal insertion portion,

4) The device as set forth in claim 1 and claim 3 wherein, said catheter tube guiding portion is reversibly connected to said closing bar element wherein the connection defines the said hole at the edge of said catheter tube guiding portion.

5) The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vaginal insertion portion and said catheter tube guiding portion of said device are produced in a connected configuration.

6) The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein, said vaginal insertion portion and said catheter tube guiding portion, each having a separate entity, connect together to conform a single entity.

7) The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vaginal insertion portion and said catheter tube guiding portion connect in a fixed angle of approximately ninety degrees.

8) The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein, said vaginal insertion portion and said catheter tube guiding portion connect in an adjustable fixated angle.

9) The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wing structures are connected to said catheter tube guiding portion in a fixed connection.

10) The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wing structures are connected to catheter tube guiding portion by hinges that facilitate side-movement of said wing structure.

11) The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein, said vaginal insertion element is reversibly connected to said vaginal insertion portion.

12) The device as set forth in claim 12 wherein, said vaginal insertion element is an insertion thimble.

13) The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein, said vaginal insertion element is an insertion rod-handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to better understand the present invention, and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are provided and referenced hereafter. It should be noted that the Figures are given as examples only and in no way limit the scope of the invention. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals. The urethra catheter-applicator device for women for self-insertion of a catheter tube of the present invention of the present invention is also referred interchangeably as UCAD.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric from-above-and-side view of a UCAD shown in a disassembled configuration. Also shown: a disconnected closing-bar element and two alternative vaginal insertion elements, an insertion-thimble and an insertion rod-handle.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates from-above-and-side isometric view of the UCAD shown in FIG. 1 in an assembled, closed by the closing-bar element, configuration and connected to the insertion thimble.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates from-above-and-side isometric view of the UCAD shown in FIG. 1 in a an assembled, closed by the closing-bar element, configuration and connected to the insertion rod-handle.

[0028] FIG. 4A illustrates from-above-and-side isometric view of the UCAD shown in FIG. 1, with wings with hinges for widening the external urethra orifice of a treated patient, in a disassembled configuration, and without an insertion rod-handle or an insertion thimble.

[0029] FIG. 4B illustrates from-above-and-side isometric view of the UCAD shown in FIG. 4A, with wings with hinges in an assembled configuration.

[0030] FIG. 5 to and including FIG. 9, illustrate stages of deploying the UCAD, shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in a treated patient.

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates the connecting procedure by a treated patient of the UCAD shown in FIG. 1 to an insertion thimble. The UCAD is shown in a configuration closed by a closing-bar element.

[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates the inserting into the vagina of the UCAD, shown in FIG. 5.

[0033] FIG. 7 illustrates the inserting of a tube of a catheter trough the UCAD shown in FIG. 5, with the device inserted in the vagina of the treated patient.

[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates the removing of the UCAD shown in FIG. 5 from the body of the treated patient.

[0035] FIG. 9 illustrates a catheter tube remaining inserted into the body, with the UCAD removed from the body of the treated patient.

[0036] FIG. 10 illustrates a UCAD with an inserting rod handle and without a closing bar element, inserted into the vagina of a treated patient.

[0037] FIG. 11 illustrates the removing of the UCAD shown in FIG. 10 from the body of the treated patient.

[0038] FIG. 12 is a cross cut, from the side, illustration of internal organs of a patient with the UCAD shown in FIG. 2 deployed in the body of a treated patient.

[0039] FIG. 13A is a cross cut, from the front, illustration of the UCAD shown in FIG. 2 deployed in a treated patient, showing initiation of contact with the skin surrounding the urethra orifice of the patient.

[0040] FIG. 13B is a cross cut illustration of the UCAD shown in FIG. 13A showing the contact with the skin surrounding the urethra orifice and widening of the orifice of the urethra of the treated patient

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0041] To describe an embodiment of the present invention of an urethra catheter-applicator device (abbreviated: UCAD) for women for assisting in self-insertion of a catheter tube into the urethra tract, reference is presently made to the figures.

[0042] From FIG. 1 up to and including FIG. 4B, reference is made to the construction of the device of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric from-above-and-side view of a UCAD (10) shown in a disassembled configuration. The UCAD (10) is shown is shown in an opened hole configuration with hole closing-bar element (16) (also referred to as: closing element) adjacent to the UCAD (10). Also shown in the figure are two alternative vaginal insertion elements: an insertion-thimble (20) and an insertion rod-handle (22).

[0044] The UCAD (10) and closing element (16) are typically but not necessarily, made of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as, but not limited to silicon, plastic or nylon. The UCAD is typically, but not necessarily, constructed as a single entity that is divided into two elongated typically, but not limited to, rectangle plate-portions: a vaginal insertion portion (12) and a catheter tube guiding portion (14). The term vaginal insertion portion (12) is interchangeably used in the context of the present text with the term insertion portion. The term catheter tube guiding portion (14) is interchangeably used in the context of the present text with the term guiding portion. The two portions connect to each other at a fixed angle of, but not limited to, approximately 90 degrees, forming between them an approximate L shaped construction, (12) being the long arm and (14) the short arm of the L, respectively. Alternatively, the angle between the two portions can be reversibly fixated in accordance with the desire of the treated patient. The terms inward and outward sides of the plates of the L configuration are used in the text for describing the sides that are confined by. the L (the sides forming a semi rectangle frame configuration) or not confined by the L, respectively.

[0045] The configuration description of the rectangle plate-portions of the UCAD that follows provide a description of typical spatial configuration structures and in no way limit the spatial configuration structures of UCAD plate-portions and the hole closing-bar element of the present invention in having other spatial two-plates, L configuration, structures.

[0046] The vaginal insertion portion (12) connects at one end to the catheter tube guiding portion (14) and has a smooth and curved edge at its other end. The inward surface of the plate of insertion portion (12) is flat and smooth. The outward surface of the insertion portion (12) has a smooth, conveyed, half-tube configuration that runs along the entire length of the plate.

[0047] The catheter tube guiding portion (14) is typically constructed of a rectangle plate having in its inward surface a concaved canal that occupies approximately half the surface area of the plate and runs along the entire length of the plate. Flat margin surfaces run along the entire length of the margins of the canal. On the outward surface of device (10), in the vicinity of the connection plane between the plates of insertion portion (12) and catheter tube guiding portion (14), is a hole (18) used for the reversible connection to either insertion-thimble (20) or, alternatively, insertion rod-handle (22) to the UCAD.

[0048] The edge of the plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14) that is not connected to the plate of vaginal insertion portion (12), has an open-ring structure (31) that has on each of its sides in the plane of the plate, a hole (32). Holes (32) are constructed in the margin components (38). A UCAD closing- element (16) typically made of, but not limited to, the same material the UCAD (10), is constructed of bar that one of its edges has an open-ring structure (33) that complements the open-ring structure (31) at the edge of catheter tube guiding portion (14). The bar of UCAD closing element (16) has on each of the sides of the open-ring formation, in the plane of the open-ring formation, a protruding bar (34) that is designed to reversibly penetrate and connect to hole (32) in catheter tube guiding portion (14). The hole (30) defined (formed) when the UCAD closing element (16) is connected to the plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14), is designed to enable the guided insertion of a catheter tube through catheter tube guiding portion (14) and into the orifice of the urethra of the treated patient. By disconnecting UCAD closing element (16) from the plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14), by removing at least one of bars (34) from at least one of holes (32), a catheter tube that is inserted into the urethra orifice and encircled by hole (30) in tube guiding portion (14) can be removed from the UCAD (10) while still remaining inserted through the urethra orifice of the treated patient.

[0049] Alternatively to forming hole (30) at the end of catheter tube guiding portion (14) by reversibly connecting guiding portion (14) to open-ring structure hole closing element (16) by bars (34), closing element (16) can be reversibly connected to guiding portion (14) by various connecting mechanisms such as, but not limited to, sliding bars or springs that originated from margin components (38) and connect to closing element (16).

[0050] Alternatively to forming hole (30) at the end of catheter tube guiding portion (14) by reversibly connecting guiding portion (14) to open-ring structure hole closing element (16) in the UCAD (10) shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, at the vicinity of the edge of catheter tube guiding portion (14) is a hole with a gap in its circumference. The hole is engulfed by the plate of guiding portion (14) and no open-ring structure hole closing element (16) is utilized. The gap forms a free passage from inside the hole to the external edge, outside of the hole, of plate (14). The width of the gap is construct so as enable the withdrawing of a catheter tube through the gap from the hole, by squeezing and compressing the width of a catheter tube in the near vicinity of the gap.

[0051] In the inward side of the edge of catheter tube guiding portion (14), on the margin components that define the open-ring structure (38), are at least two protruding rigid or semi rigid wing structures, one on every margin component. The wing structures (36) are either an integral part of the construction of the UCAD (10) or, alternatively, they are separate entities and are connected to the plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14) by hinges (shown in FIG. 4B). Alternatively the wing structures (36) are connected to the catheter tube guiding portion (14) by, but not limited to, resilient springs that are not an integral part of catheter tube guiding portion (14), The wing structures typically (36) have, but not limited to, a curved plate configuration designed to widen the opening of the external orifice of the urethra when the UCAD (10) is deployed. The wing structures are constructed of the same material that the UCAD (10) is constructed of, or, alternatively, they are produced from any rigid and/or semi-rigid material or a combination of materials that facilitates the widening the opening of the orifice of the urethra and is in accepted for use in coming in contact with human sensitive skin.

[0052] Reference is presently made to the two alternative vaginal insertion elements (23) shown in FIG. 1: insertion-thimble (20) and insertion rod-handle (22). The configuration of the vaginal insertion element (23) of the present device is not limited to the two described elements and may be of any configuration that facilitates the insertion and removal of the vaginal insertion portion (12) into the vagina of the treated patient.

[0053] Insertion-thimble (20) is typically, but not necessarily, made as single entity component, and is constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as, but not limited, to silicon plastic or metal. The insertion-thimble (20) is constructed of a thin-walled tube opened at one end and sealed at its other end by a sealing-plate surface. The external surface of the sealing-plate has a protruding connecting-rod (24) that is designed to reversibly penetrate and connect to hole (18) in the plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14).

[0054] Insertion rod-handle (22) typically, but not necessarily, made as single rod entity component, and is constructed of a rigid material or materials, such as, but not limited, to silicon, plastic or metal. Insertion rod-handle (22) is constructed of a hand-gripping portion (26), an extension-rod (28) and a connecting-rod (24) portion. Connecting-rod (24) is designed to reversibly penetrate and connect to hole (18) in the plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14).

[0055] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate from-above-and-side isometric views of the UCAD (10) shown in FIG. 1 connected to an insertion-thimble (20) and to an insertion rod handle (22), respectively. In both the figures the UCAD closing element (16) is shown connected to the plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14).

[0056] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate from-above-and-side isometric views of the UCAD shown in FIG. 1, with wing constructions (36) that are connected to the plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14) of the UCAD (10) by a hinge connection. Hinge-pins (39) are inserted into holes (39A) in wing constrictions (36). The connection of wing constructions (36) to the plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14) is either by a fixed and rigid connection (illustrated in FIG. 1), or alternatively, as illustrated in the present figures, a connection that facilitates the reversible connection and removal of the wing constructions and facilitates side-way motions, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. Wing constructions (36), either in a fixed of or in motion-able connection to catheter tube guiding portion (14), contact the skin surrounding the orifice of the of the urethra and pull the skin sideways, thus, widening the urethra orifice while stabilizing UCAD in its contact with the body of the treated patient. The contact of the skin surrounding the orifice of urethra tract with hinge-connected wing constructions is more graduated and softened in comparison to connection formed by fixe-connection (un-hinged) wing constructions (36).

[0057] FIG. 4A illustrates the wing constructions (36) disconnected from the hinge-pins (39) of plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14). FIG. 4B illustrates the wing constructions (36) connected to the plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14). The Double-headed arrows (37) indicate the side-movement of wing constructions (36) facilitated by the hinges.

[0058] Reference is presently made to the sequence of figures FIG. 5 up to and including FIG. 9, which illustrate the sequence of the activities in deploying a UCAD of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 5 illustrates the connecting procedure of the UCAD (10) shown in FIG. 1 to an insertion thimble (20). The UCAD (10) is shown in a closed configuration, with closing element (16) connected to catheter tube guiding portion (14). Holding the UCAD (10) in one hand and the insertion thimble (20) in the other hand, the patient inserts rod (24) into hole (18), thus forming a reversible yet stable connection between the UCAD (10) and the insertion thimble (20). Alternatively, instead of connecting an insertion thimble (20), an insertion rod-handle (22), shown in FIGS. 3, 10 and 11, is connected to the UCAD (10).

[0060] FIG. 6 illustrates the inserting into the vagina of the UCAD (10). The patient spreads her labia minora lips (40) with one hand and inserts a finger of her other hand into the insertion thimble (20). By pushing with her finger that is inserted in the insertion thimble (20), the patient inserts the plate of insertion portion (12) of UCAD (10) into the vagina and presses the plate towards the pubic symphysis, thus, causing the tube guiding portion (14) to be pressed to the upper region of the labia minora lips (40) and having hole (30) adjacent to the urethra orifice of the patient. By pressing the plate of insertion portion (12) of UCAD (10) into the vagina and pressing the plate towards the pubic symphysis, wing structures (36) widen the orifice of the urethra by contacting the skin surrounding the orifice and pushing it side-ways (shown in FIG. 13B).

[0061] FIG. 7 illustrates the inserting of catheter tube (42) through the hole in the catheter tube guiding portion (14) of UCAD (10). The patient is shown maintaining the plate of insertion portion (12) of UCAD (10) in her vagina with one hand and inserting a tube (42) of a catheter into hole (30) and into the orifice of the urethra with the other hand.

[0062] FIG. 8 illustrates the removing of the UCAD (10) from the body of a treated patient. The patient is shown removing the insertion portion (12) of UCAD (10) from her vagina with one hand releasing closing element (16) from the connection with the plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14) of UCAD (10) with the other hand, thus enabling the removal of the insertion portion (12) of UCAD (10) from the vagina, and the UCAD from the body of the patient, while keeping the catheter tube, inserted into the urethra tract of the treated patient, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0063] Reference is presently made to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, which illustrate activities in the use of the UCAD of the present invention in a configuration without a closing element (16) and having an insertion rod-handle (22).

[0064] In FIG. 10 the patient spreads her labia minora lips (40) with one hand and inserts a UCAD (10) into her vagina by pushing the insertion rod-handle (22) that is connected to the plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14), towards her body. The UCAD (10) in the figure is without a closing element (16) (shown in FIG. 7) and with a gap at the edge of plate of catheter tube guiding portion (14). When the UCAD (10) is in place in the body of the patient, tube (42) is inserted through hole (30) into the orifice of the urethra, as shown in FIG. 7 for an UCAD with a closing element (16).

[0065] FIG. 11 illustrates the initial activity of removing the UCAD (10) shown in FIG. 10 from the body of the patient. The illustration shows the patient pulling insertion rod-handle (22) away from her body while sliding the catheter tube guiding portion (14) along catheter tube (42). In the process, tube (42) remains in the body of the patient. In the following activity (not illustrated), at the point when the UCAD is nearly or fully removed from the body of the patient, the patient compresses and squeezes tube (42) with the fingers of her hand near the gap in hole (30) and removes the tube (42) through the gap from the UCAD, thus, leaving tube (42) in the body of the patient free from the UCAD, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0066] Reference is presently made to the figures FIG. 12 up to and including FIG. 13B. The figures are crosscut schematic illustrations of the positioning of the UCAD (10) of the present invention in and on the body of a treated patient.

[0067] FIG. 12 is a view from the side of the patient cross cut illustration of internal organs of a patient with the UCAD (10) deployed in the patient. The UCAD (10) is shown connected to an insertion thimble (20) and insertion portion (12) of the UCAD (10) is shown inserted into the vagina (46) and pressed against the pubic symphysis (44 of the patient. The guiding portion (14) of the UCAD (10) is pressed to the upper section of the labia minora lips (40) (shown in FIG. 13B) and hole (30) adjacent to the urethra orifice of the patient. Wing constructions (36), which are connected to guiding portion (14) and widen the urethra orifice are illustrated in FIG. 13B. Tube (42) is shown inserted through hole (30) and through the orifice of the urethra (50) of the treated patient.

[0068] FIG. 13A is a cross cut schematic illustration as viewed from the front of a patient with insertion portion (12) of UCAD (10) inserted into her vagina (as shown in FIG. 12). The illustration shows the wing constructions (36), which are connected to plate of guiding portion (14), at initiation of contact with the skin surrounding of the urethra orifice of the treated patient. FIG. 13B illustrates the wing constructions (36), shown in FIG. 13A, pressed to the skin surrounding the orifice of the urethra (50) and causing the widening of the urethra orifice (50). The widening of orifice (50) is done by pressing wings (36) to the skin surrounding the orifice and stretching it towards the labia minora lips (40). The labia minora lips (40) and labia majora lips (52) play no role in the widening of the urethra orifice (50). With the orifice widened and hole (30) of guiding portion (14) adjacent to and aligned with the orifice, catheter tube (42) is self-inserted by the patient in a manner that is easy to implement and reduces the discomfort of the insertion.

[0069] It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope.

[0070] It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification could make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the present invention.