Automatic gel applying container for an intermittent urinary catheter
First Claim
1. A catheter package comprising:
- an outer container defining an inner space;
a catheter received in the inner space of the outer container, the catheter including a flexible catheter tube having a distal tip and at least one discharge opening proximate the distal tip, and a catheter outlet provided at a proximal end of the catheter tube,a gel receptacle provided in the inner space of the outer container, the gel receptacle defining a cavity therein containing a lubricating agent gel, the gel receptacle having a distal opening at a distal end with an inner diameter corresponding to a catheter diameter, and a proximal opening at a proximal end with an inner diameter larger than the catheter tube, wherein in a stored position the catheter extends through the gel receptacle with the distal tip of the catheter tube positioned distal to the gel receptacle and the catheter outlet positioned proximal to the gel receptacle, and wherein a side wall of the gel receptacle is made of a deformable material and configured to collapse inward on the catheter tube; and
wherein a side wall of the gel receptacle is molded to have a collapsed relaxed state such that withdrawing the catheter proximally from its stored position in the gel receptacle permits the side wall to collapse inward and displaces the lubricating agent gel in the receptacle and coats an exterior surface of the catheter tube with the lubricating agent gel.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A package or container for a catheter having a catheter tube with a proximal end provided with a catheter outlet and a distal opening at a distal end thereof. A gel receptacle is provided with a cavity for holding an amount of a lubricating agent, and the catheter tube extends therethrough. The gel receptacle is configured such that as the catheter is withdrawn from a stored position therein, a leading tip of the catheter is immersed in the lubricating agent, thus automatically coating the leading tip. The gel receptacle may be held within a rigid body or may be a standalone item packaged in a sterile bag solely with the catheter. A side wall of the gel receptacle is deformable so that as the catheter is withdrawn proximally the side wall is collapsed inward to displace the lubricating agent gel and coat an exterior surface of the catheter tube.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A catheter package comprising:
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an outer container defining an inner space; a catheter received in the inner space of the outer container, the catheter including a flexible catheter tube having a distal tip and at least one discharge opening proximate the distal tip, and a catheter outlet provided at a proximal end of the catheter tube, a gel receptacle provided in the inner space of the outer container, the gel receptacle defining a cavity therein containing a lubricating agent gel, the gel receptacle having a distal opening at a distal end with an inner diameter corresponding to a catheter diameter, and a proximal opening at a proximal end with an inner diameter larger than the catheter tube, wherein in a stored position the catheter extends through the gel receptacle with the distal tip of the catheter tube positioned distal to the gel receptacle and the catheter outlet positioned proximal to the gel receptacle, and wherein a side wall of the gel receptacle is made of a deformable material and configured to collapse inward on the catheter tube; and wherein a side wall of the gel receptacle is molded to have a collapsed relaxed state such that withdrawing the catheter proximally from its stored position in the gel receptacle permits the side wall to collapse inward and displaces the lubricating agent gel in the receptacle and coats an exterior surface of the catheter tube with the lubricating agent gel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A catheter package comprising:
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an outer container defining an inner space; a catheter received in the inner space of the outer container, the catheter including a flexible catheter tube having a distal tip and at least one discharge opening proximate the distal tip, and a catheter outlet provided at a proximal end of the catheter tube, a gel receptacle provided in the inner space of the outer container, the gel receptacle defining a cavity therein containing a lubricating agent gel, the gel receptacle having a distal opening at a distal end with an inner diameter corresponding to a catheter diameter, and a proximal opening at a proximal end with an inner diameter larger than the catheter tube, wherein in a stored position the catheter extends through the gel receptacle with the distal tip of the catheter tube positioned distal to the gel receptacle and the catheter outlet positioned proximal to the gel receptacle, and wherein a side wall of the gel receptacle is made of a deformable material and molded to have a collapsed relaxed state such that such that withdrawal of the catheter proximally from its stored position permits the side wall to collapse inward and displace the lubricating agent gel in the receptacle onto an exterior surface of the catheter tube, and wherein there are at least two opposed inward projections which extend inward into contact with opposite side of the catheter tube and hold the side wall away from the catheter tube to create a volume within the gel receptacle for receiving the lubricating agent gel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification