Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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COMPACT PACKAGED INTERMITTENT URINARY CATHETER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to packages for urinary catheters. Some
embodiments of the invention
relate to methods of using such urinary catheters.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Intermittent catheters are typically used by patients suffering from
urinary
incontinence or by individuals unable to have voluntary urination. In our
highly mobile
culture, the ability to have the freedom to leave home for the day or longer
is an important
part of life. To accommodate this need single use catheters have been
developed to allow
patients to perform self catheterization. These catheters and their drainage
tubes typically
have a considerable length and are packaged in an elongated condition. It can
require a
considerable amount of space to store and transport enough catheters to
accommodate a day
long outing.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 7,682,353 B2 discloses an intermittent catheter kit
that provides a
catheter in short sections to be assembled at the time of use, but many users
of the catheters have
limited dexterity to assemble these catheters and may still need drainage
tubes to reach a waste
receptacle. A need still exists for an easy to use intermittent catheter that
is compact and
completely assembled upon opening the package.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A first aspect of the invention is a compact packaged intermittent
urinary catheter. The
catheter has a longitudinally elongated intermittent urinary catheter retained
within a longitudinally
compacted elastic package.
[0005] In a preferred embodiment the compacted package is folded or coiled
such that
removal of one end of the package removes the other end of the package.
[0006] A second aspect of the invention is a method of using a catheter in
accordance
with the first aspect of the invention. The method includes the steps of (a)
obtaining a
compact packaged intermittent urinary catheter retained within a
longitudinally compacted
elastic package having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end,
(b) manually
opening the first and second longitudinal ends of the package, (c) returning
the package to a
full longitudinal length, (d) removing a portion of the catheter from the
package and inserting
it into a urethra, and (e) using at least a portion of the package as a
drainage tube for the
catheter.
[0007] A further aspect comprises a compact package for an intermittent
urinary catheter.
The package is longitudinally compacted and elastic and has an open extended
state and a
closed compacted state. The package further defines a longitudinally extending
receiving
chamber containing a lubricating medium. The package is sized and configured
when in its
compacted state such that a first longitudinal end of the package and a second
longitudinal end
of the package are aligned and attached together and removal of the first
longitudinal end
causes removal of the second longitudinal end and opening of the package.
Also, removal of
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both first and second longitudinal ends permits the package to be converted to
its extended
state with both first and second longitudinal ends being open. The
longitudinally extending
receiving chamber is sized and configured when the package is in its open
extended state to
slidably receive a longitudinally elongated intermittent urinary catheter so
that the lubricating
medium coats the catheter exterior.
[0008] The compact package may be made from polyester, polyethylene, or a
combination of the two materials. A line of weakness proximate the first
longitudinal end of
the package and the second longitudinal end of the package may be provided
wherein the
lines of weakness are aligned when the first longitudinal end of the package
and the second
longitudinal end of the package are aligned and attached together. Preferably,
the compacted
state of the package includes a single fold with the first and second
longitudinal ends being
joined together opposite the fold. Alternatively, the compacted state of the
package includes a
coiled configuration. The compact package may have a hinge to allow the
package to be
configured and arranged into its compacted state.
[0009] Additionally, the compact package may have at least one set of
laterally extending
dimples configured and arranged to allow the package to be folded into its
compacted state.
The compact package may also have a biasing means configured and arranged to
bias the
package toward its extended state, such as a polymer member or at least one
pressurized
chamber.
[0010] A method of using an intermittent urinary catheter is also described
including the steps
of:
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a. obtaining, in its closed compacted state, the package for an intermittent
urinary catheter as set forth in claim 1;
b. simultaneously removing the first and second longitudinal ends of the
package so
that both first and second longitudinal ends are open;
c. converting the package to its extended state;
d. inserting a leading end of an intermittent urinary catheter into the open
first
longitudinal end and passing the catheter through the longitudinally extending
receiving chamber so that the leading end projects from the open second
longitudinal end with lubricating medium coating an exterior surface thereof;
e. inserting the catheter leading end into a urethra; and
f. using at least a portion of the package as a clean handling sleeve for
the
catheter.
[0011] The package preferably includes a single fold with the first and
second
longitudinal ends being joined together opposite the fold, and the step of
converting the
package to its extended state comprises unfolding the package.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of one embodiment of a package for an
intermittent
urinary catheter shown with the package in full longitudinal length.
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[0013] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the package in FIG. 1 shown with the
package in
compact longitudinal length.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the package in FIG. 2
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the package shown in FIG. 2
taken along line
2-2.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the package shown in FIG. 1 with the
first and
second longitudinal ends removed.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional front view of the package shown in FIG.
5 taken along line
5a-5a with the catheter fully extended.
[0018] FIG. 7A is a plan end view of the second longitudinal end of the
package shown in
FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 7B is a plan end view of an alternative configuration of the
second
longitudinal end of the package shown in FIG. 5.
[0020] FIG. 7C is a plan end view of a further alternative configuration of
the second
longitudinal end of the package shown in FIG. 5.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of the
package with the first
and second longitudinal ends removed and the catheter partially extended.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a plan side view of a third embodiment of the invention
with the
package shown in compact longitudinal length.
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[0023] FIG. 10 is a plan front view of a fourth embodiment of the package
shown in full
longitudinal length.
[0024] FIG. 11A is a side perspective view of proximal end of the catheter
shown In FIG.
6.
[0025] FIG. 11B is a side perspective view of an alternative configuration
of the
proximal end of the catheter shown in FIG. 6.
[0026] FIG. 11C is a side perspective view of a further alternative
configuration of the
proximal end of the catheter shown in FIG. 6.
[0027] FIG. 11D is a side perspective view of a further alternative
configuration of the
proximal end of the catheter shown in FIG. 6.
[0028] FIG. 11E is a front perspective view of the proximal end of the
catheter shown in FIG.
11D.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a sectional front view of the invention in FIG. 1 with
air pockets
molded into the package to act as a biasing means.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a sectional front view of the invention in FIG. 1 with a
spring sealed into
the package to act as a biasing means.
[0031] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an alternative form of a
package to receive and
lubricate an intermittent urinary catheter in compact longitudinal length.
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[0032] FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional side view of the package shown in FIG.
14 taken
along line 14-14.
[0033] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the package shown in FIG. 14 with
the first and
second longitudinal ends removed by a user and in a compact longitudinal
length.
[0034] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 14 after
removal of the first and
second longitudinal ends and in full longitudinal length.
[0035] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 14 after
removal of the first and
second longitudinal ends and in full longitudinal length showing a user
inserting an intermittent
urinary catheter therein.
[0036] FIG. 18 is a perspective view like FIG. 17 showing the intermittent
urinary
catheter passing completely through the package.
[0037] FIG. 19 is a perspective view like FIG. 18 showing the user holding
the package with
the intermittent urinary catheter therein in preparation for use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0038] Nomenclature [0026] 10 Catheter [0027] 11 Distal end [0028] 12
Proximal end
[0029] 12a Push block [0030] 13 Longitudinal length [0031] 14 Eyelet [0032] 20
Package
[0033] 21 Full longitudinal length [0034] 22 Compact longitudinal length
[0035] 23 First
longitudinal end [0036] 24 Second longitudinal end [0037] 25 Hinge [0038] 26a
Inner
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surface [0039] 26b Outer surface [0040] 27 Edge [0041] 28 Receiving chamber
[0042] 28a
Longitudinal length [0043] 28b Shoulder [0044] 29 Line of weakness [0045] 30
Guide
member [0046] 31 Tab [0047] 32 Tether [0048] 40 Mirror [0049] 50 Fastener
[0050] 60
Dimple [0051] 70 Biasing means [0052] X Longitudinal direction [0053] Y
Lateral direction
[0039] Definitions
[0040] As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase "full
longitudinal length"
means longitudinal length from the first end of the package to the second end
of the non-
compacted package.
[0041] As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase "compact
longitudinal length"
means longitudinal length of the compacted package that is less than the full
longitudinal
length.
[0042] As utilized herein, including the claims, the term "compacted" means
folded,
coiled, pleated, concertina, bent.
[0043] As utilized herein, including the claims, the term "elastic" means
able to resume
to proximate normal shape spontaneously after bending, coiling, pleating, or
other form of
distortion.
[0044] Description
[0045] Construction
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[0046] The invention is a longitudinally elongated intermittent urinary
catheter 10
packaged in a longitudinally compacted elastic package 20 and a method of
using the
catheter 10.
[0047] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the catheter 10 sterilely packed
inside a package
20. The package 20 is shown in full longitudinal length 21. The catheter 10
has at least a
distal end 11, a proximal end 12, a longitudinal length 13, a lumen (not
numbered), and at
least one eyelet 14. The distal end 11 is preferably round ended to allow easy
and pain free
insertion into the urethra of a patient. The distal end 11 has one or more
eyelets 14 to
accommodate flow of the urine from the bladder through the lumen of the
catheter 10.
Preferably the eyelets 14 are provided with rounded and or polished rims (not
numbered) to
increase comfort to the patient during insertion. The proximal end 12 of the
catheter 10
provides an exit for the urine from the lumen.
[0048] The diameter of the proximal end 12 of the catheter 10 is preferably
larger than
the diameter of the distal end 11. The proximal end 12 may be any suitable
shape to
accommodate sliding along the full longitudinal length 21 of the package 20
without exiting
the package 20.
[0049] The catheter 10 may be coated with a hydrophilic coating to provide
a low
friction surface when treated with a swelling medium. A swelling medium may be
provided
within the package 20 to provide a ready to use catheter 10. The use of
hydrophilic coating
and prepackaged swelling mediums with catheters 10 is well known in the
industry. A
lubricant may also be provided in the package 20 to provide a low friction
surface. Providing
a lubricant in a catheter 10 package 20 is well known in the industry.
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[0050] The catheter 10 may have any desired longitudinal length 13 and
shape effective
for achieving the function of eliminating urine from the bladder of a male or
female patient,
including the hollow cylinder or tube shape as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6.
Preferably, the
longitudinal length 13 for an adult female catheter 10 is between 2-6 inches,
the longitudinal
length 13 of the adult male catheter 10 is between 10-16 inches, and the
longitudinal length
13 of a pediatric catheter 10 is between 5-11 inches.
[0051] The catheter 10 may be constructed from any material possessing
sufficient
structural integrity, being light weight, and having a smooth finish,
including specifically,
but not exclusively, plastics such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and
polyurethane, etc.
The catheter 10 may be made without a softening agent also or with a softening
agent
allowing the catheter 10 to be pliable. Pliability is especially desired for
the longer male
catheter 10 to allow the catheter 10 to be stiff enough for insertion but to
allow enough
flexibility to manipulate through the longer urethra of the male anatomy. The
catheter 10
may also be elastic like the package 20. Using an elastic catheter 10 would
allow the catheter
to be compacted to fit into a smaller package 20. An elastic and pliable
catheter 10 may
decrease the chances of the catheter 10 forming kinks if it is compacted in
the package. An
elastic catheter 10 may also aid the package 20 in resuming the full
longitudinal length 21
upon opening of the package 20.
[0052] Preferably the catheter 10 is packaged in an elastic package 20. As
shown in
FIGS. 2-4 and 9, the package 20 is stored in a compact state defining a
compact longitudinal
length 22. The package 20 has a compact longitudinal length 22 that is less
than the full
longitudinal length 21. The elasticity of the package 20 may come from elastic
material used
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to form the package 20 or from a biasing means 70 incorporated into the
package 20 wherein the
package 20 is biased toward the full longitudinal length 21.
[0053] If an elastic material is used to form the package 20, the
elasticity of the
packaging material biases the package 20 to the full longitudinal length 21.
Preferably the
package 20 is made from polyester, polyethylene, a combination of the two
materials, Surlyn,
polyprolene, or aluminum.
[0054] At least one biasing means 70 may also be used to provide the
elasticity of the
package 20. Any acceptable biasing means 70 may be used, such as but not
exclusively, a
spring. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the biasing means 70, is sealed into or
molded as part
of the package 20. The preferred biasing means 70 is a polymer member or a
pressurized
chamber. The chamber may be filled with any suitable pressurized fluid such as
water or a
gas. To increase the elasticity of the package 20 more than one biasing means
70 may be
used in a single package 20.
[0055] Preferably the inner surface 26a of the package 20 material is
smooth to allow for
ease in removing the catheter 10 for use and to prevent damage to the catheter
10. FIG. 1 shows
the package 20 in a full longitudinal length 21. FIGS. 2-4 and 9 show the
package 20 in its
compact state where the compact longitudinal length 22 is less than the full
longitudinal length
21.
[0056] The package 20 has a first longitudinal end 23 and a second
longitudinal end 24 and
defines an elongate catheter 10 receiving chamber 28 extending along a portion
of the full
longitudinal length 21 of the package 20. The catheter 10 is carried in the
elongate
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receiving chamber 28 with the distal end 11 of the catheter 10 located
proximate the first
longitudinal end 23 of the package 20. As shown in FIG. 1, a first embodiment
of the package
20 may be constructed from a base sheet of material and cover sheet of
material sealed along
the edges 27 to form the catheter 10 receiving chamber 28 therein. See FIG.
7A. The first
longitudinal end 23 and the second longitudinal end 24 are sealed after
insertion of the
catheter 10 in the receiving chamber 28. A second embodiment of the package 20
may also be
constructed from a single base material folded upon it to provide a single
sealed edge 27. See
FIG. 7C. The first longitudinal end 23 and second longitudinal end 24 are then
sealed after
insertion of the catheter 10 in the receiving chamber 28. In a third
embodiment the package
20 may be extruded in a tube shape and then the first longitudinal end 23 and
second
longitudinal end 24 sealed after insertion of the catheter 10 in the receiving
chamber 28. As
shown in FIG. 7B, the extruded shape may include longitudinal X creases to
allow for
flexibility of the package 20 during use.
[0057] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the catheter 10 receiving chamber 28
extends from
proximate the first longitudinal end 23 of the package 20 to proximate the
second longitudinal
end 24 of the package 20 as the first longitudinal end 23 and the second
longitudinal end 24
are sealed after the catheter 10 is inserted in the receiving chamber 28. The
receiving chamber
28 is sized, configured, and arranged to slideably engage the catheter 10.
Preferably,
proximate the first longitudinal end 23 of the package 20 the size of the
receiving chamber 28
is an inwardly directed shoulder 28b effective for decreasing the size of and
constricting the
receiving chamber 28 such that the shoulder 28b is sized, configured,
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and arranged to prohibit movement of the proximal end 12 of the catheter 10
from exiting the
receiving chamber 28 of the package 20.
[0058] Preferably, the package 20 has means to manually remove the first
longitudinal
end 23 and the second longitudinal end 24 to allow access to the catheter 10
receiving
chamber 28. The ends 23 and 24 may have a line of weakness 29 such as
perforations or
score lines, a tear strip, or a point of weakness to allow easy opening of the
package 20
without the need for scissors or a knife. Providing a line of weakness 29 may
also direct the
patient to open the package 20 at the proper place on the package 20 to allow
the proximal
end 12 of the catheter 10 to catch on the shoulder 28b of the receiving
chamber 28.
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 9, the package 20 has a compact
longitudinal length
22 that is shorter than the full longitudinal length 21 of the package 20.
Preferably the
longitudinal length 13 of the catheter 10 is less than the longitudinal length
28a of the
receiving chamber 28. If a non elastic catheter 10 is used this will allow the
portion of the
package 20 without the catheter 10 to be folded, bent or coiled to form the
compacted
package 20. It will also provide a longer receiving chamber 28 for use as a
drainage tube
during use of the catheter 10.
[0060] In the compact longitudinal length 22 the first longitudinal end 23
and the second
longitudinal end 24 may be configured and arranged to be removed from the
package 20 at the
same time by aligning the removal means for each end as shown in FIGS. 3-4 and
9.
Preferably the longitudinal ends 23 and 24 are aligned and a fastener 50 used
to attach the
first end 23 to the second end 24 such that the patient can not remove the
first longitudinal
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end 23 without removing the second longitudinal end 24. The preferred fastener
50 is an
adhesive.
[0061] The package 20 may be converted from the full longitudinal length 21
to the
compacted length 22 by folding, coiling, bending, or pleating. As shown in
FIGS. 2-4 and 10
the package 20 may be folded or bent a single time. The folding may be made
easier by using
a hinge 25, score line, or at least one set of laterally Y extending dimples
60 at the point of
folding. The hinge 25 may be a live hinge 25 or a mechanical hinge 25. As
shown in FIG. 8,
the package 20 may be folded or bent more than one time to accommodate a
package 20 with
a longer full longitudinal length 21. This could allow for a longer drainage
tube as well as to
accommodate a longer catheter 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the package 20 may be
coiled into the
compact length 22. Again the package 20 may have one or more coils depending
on the
original full longitudinal length 21 of the package 20. As the package 20 is
elastic, a fastener
50 may be needed to attach the first longitudinal end 23 of the package 20 to
the second
longitudinal end 24 to keep the package 20 in the compact position. Upon
removing the
longitudinal ends 23 and 24 of the package 20 or removing the fastener 50 from
contact with
one of the ends 23 and 24 of the package 20, the package 20 will return to the
full
longitudinal length 21.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 2 the package 20 may also have a mirror 40 on the
outer surface 26b
to aid the patient in inserting the catheter 10. The package 20 may have a
minor like outer surface
26b to aid the patient in inserting the catheter 10.
[0063] The package 20 may also have a guide member 30 to aid the patient in
removing the
distal end 11 of the catheter 10 from the package 20 without touching the
catheter 10 and
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causing contamination. Preferably the guide member 30 has a tab 31 and a
tether 32. As
shown in FIG. 1, the tab 31, with one end (not numbered) of the tether 32, is
attached to the
first longitudinal end 23 of the package 20 and the other end (not numbered)
of the tether 32 is
attached to the distal end 11 of the catheter 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6,
the tab 31 may be
embedded in the seal of the first longitudinal end 23 of the package 20
wherein removal of the
first longitudinal end 23 from the package 20 removes the tab 31 allowing the
distal end 11 of
the catheter 10 to be pulled out of the package 20 with the tab 31.
[0064] Alternatively the proximal end 12 of the catheter 10 may be
configured and
arranged to allow the distal end 11 of the catheter 10 to be manually pushed
out of the open
longitudinal end of the package 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 11A-E, the
proximal end 12 of
the catheter 10 may be attached to or integrally formed with a push block 12a.
The push
block 12a is shaped to allow a patient to easily grip the proximal end 12 of
the catheter 10
through the package 20 and push the distal end 11 of the catheter 10 out of
the opened first
longitudinal end 23 of the package 20.
[0065] Use
[0066] The compact packaged intermittent urinary catheter 10 is used by
patients for self
catheterization. One or more of the compact packaged catheters 10 may be
easily carried by a
patient in a purse, bag or pocket. Prior to use the patient should take all
sanitary procedures
advised by their doctors to decrease the risks of infection from utilizing a
catheter 10. The
patient grasps the first and second longitudinal ends 23 and 24 of the compact
elastic package
and removes the ends 23 and 24. The ends 23 and 24 may be removed by cutting
with a
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knife or scissors, but preferably the ends 23 and 24 are removed manually
along the lines of
weakness 29 or at the point of weakness. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, by
removing the
first longitudinal end 23 and the second longitudinal end 24 at the point of
weakness or line
of weakness 29, the package 20 will be open such that the receiving chamber 28
are now
open. Removing the first longitudinal end 23 of the package 20 too far below
the line of
weakness 29 or the point of weakness could cause the package 20 to be opened
such that the
shoulder 28b of the receiving chamber 28 is also removed and proximal end 12
the catheter
will no longer be captured within the package 20.
[0067] Upon removal of the first and second longitudinal ends 23 and 24 of
the package 20,
the package 20 is then returned to its full longitudinal length 21.
[0068] If the package 20 has a guide member 30, removal of the first
longitudinal end 23
of the package 20 will allow the distal end 11 of the catheter 10 to slide
from the package 20
without the need to touch or contaminate the catheter 10. If the proximal end
12 of the
catheter 10 remains in the receiving chamber 28 of the package 20, the package
20 can be
used as a drainage tube for the catheter 10. The catheter 10 is then inserted
into the urethra of
the patient. As the urine travels through the catheter 10 and exits the
proximal end 12 of the
catheter 10, it enters the receiving chamber 28 of the package 20 and travels
through the
longitudinal length 28a of the chamber 28 and out the now open second
longitudinal end 24
of the package 20 and into a waste receptacle.
[0069] If the catheter 10 has a push block 12a proximate the proximal end
12 of the
catheter 10, after the package 20 is opened and the package 20 returns to the
full longitudinal
length 21, the patient grasps the push block 12a at the proximal end 12 of the
catheter 10
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through the package 20 and pushes the distal end 11 of the catheter 10 out of
the package 20
without touching or contaminating the catheter 10. The catheter 10 may then be
used the same as
the catheter 10 with the guide member 30.
[0070] After the bladder is emptied, the catheter 10 is removed from the
urethra and the
catheter 10 can be pushed back into the package 20 for easy and mess free
disposal.
[0071] The compact package described herein may be used to store a sterile
catheter
packed therein or may be provided along with or separately from the catheter.
In either case,
the package is preferably used as an aid for inserting the catheter into the
urethra. The
embodiments described above include the catheter stored in the package which
also contains
lubricant to assist urethral insertion, or the catheter may be separately
inserted into the
lubricant-filled package at the time of usage. It should be noted that all of
the variations
described above pertaining to the way the package is held in a compact shape,
or which assist
in opening the package to its elongated shape apply equally to the separate
package described
below. Likewise, other constructional aspects such as materials and dimensions
described
above may apply equally to the stand-alone package described below.
[0072] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an alternative form of a
package 80 for
assisting insertion of an intermittent urinary catheter shown in compact
longitudinal length, while
FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional side view of the package 80 taken along line 14-
14.
[0073] The package 80 has a first longitudinal end 82 and a second
longitudinal end 84 and
defines an elongate catheter receiving chamber 86 extending along a portion of
the full
longitudinal length of the package 80. As shown in FIG. 14, a first embodiment
of the
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package 80 may be constructed from a base sheet of material and cover sheet of
material
sealed along side edges 88a and end edge 88b to form the catheter receiving
chamber 86
therein. The elongated package 80, best seen in partial view in FIG. 16, folds
at a mid-point
90 so that the first and second longitudinal ends 82, 84 meet and are joined
into the single
end edge 88b. The first longitudinal end 82 and the second longitudinal end 84
are sealed
after addition of a lubricating medium in the receiving chamber 86. In a
second
embodiment the package 80 may be extruded in a tube shape and then the first
longitudinal
end 82 and second longitudinal end 84 sealed after addition of a lubricating
medium in the
receiving chamber 86, as in shown in FIG. 7B. A third embodiment of the
package 80 may
also be constructed from a single base material folded upon it to provide a
single sealed
edge, as in FIG. 7C.
[0074] FIG. 14 also shows a score or notch 92 formed at an outer extent of
the sealed
side edges 88a at a longitudinal location below the end edge 88b and aligned
with the inner
chamber 86. An upper portion of the compacted package may be cut away or torn
off using
the notch 92 as a starter, as seen in FIG. 15, to expose the inner chamber 86
by removing
both the first and second longitudinal ends 82, 84. FIG. 16 is a perspective
view of the
package 80 after removal of the first and second longitudinal ends 82, 84 and
in full
longitudinal length from a first open end 94 to a second open end 96.
Indicator arrows 98
are desirably printed on one or both exterior sides of the elongated package
80 oriented in
one longitudinal direction.
[0075] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the elongated package 80 showing a
user inserting an
intermittent urinary catheter 100 therein in the direction of the indicator
arrows
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98. The catheter may be any of the various embodiments described above, or
other types. A
leading end of the catheter is inserted into the first open end 94 and pushed
through the
chamber 86 having lubricating medium therein.
[0076] FIG. 18 shows the intermittent urinary catheter 100 passing
completely through
the elongated package 80, emerging from the second open end 96. A lubricating
medium 102
is seen adhered to an outer surface of the catheter 100 from passing through
the catheter-
receiving chamber 86.
[0077] The package 80 is then used to assist in inserting the catheter 100
into a urethra.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view like FIG. 18 showing the user holding the
package 80 with the
intermittent urinary catheter 100 therein in preparation for use. A portion of
the leading end
104 of the catheter 100 with lubricant 102 thereon extends from the second
open end 96. The
user can easily and cleanly grasp the side of the elongated package 80 to
manipulate the
leading end 104 into the proper position. Once the leading end 104 is inserted
into the
urethra, the user can maintain a grip on the catheter 100 as it is advanced in
stages, with the
package 80 sliding back over the catheter so as to continue to lubricate its
length. When the
process is complete, the package 80 again can be used to grip and remove the
catheter 100
from the urethra.
[0078] The stand-alone package 80 described above is easy and convenient to
use with a
variety of different catheters. Often, with simple ketchup-style gel packages
used to deposit
lubricant on the catheter the gel coating can be lumpy and inconsistent. With
the catheter 100
passing through the package chamber 86, the gel is instead applied evenly and
smoothly. Further,
the user's fingers remain outside the package 80 at all times so there is no
mess. The
Date recue / Date received 2021 -1 1-29
CA 02954568 2017-01-13
package 80 acts as a clean handling sleeve for both advancing and retracting
the catheter. The
package 80 is relatively simple and economical, making it an advantageous way
to facilitate
the often messy job of urinary catheter insertion.
[0079] Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown
should be
considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and
procedures disclosed or
claimed. Although many of the examples presented herein involve specific
combinations of
method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and
those elements
may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts,
elements and
features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to
be excluded
from a similar role in other embodiments.
Date recue / Date received 2021 -1 1-29
