Abstract:
A completely new kit and method includes a device (connector strip with slotted hole) to hold steady a catheter for lubrication and insertion. This kit and method are designed to be used by patients who use an Intermittent Catheter technique. The connector strip comprises one portion of a two-part fastener, and the mating portion can be mounted at appropriate mounting location(s), such as the user&#39;s waistband(s). A small pouch, which can fit in a man&#39;s pants pocket, can stow all of the necessary elements of this kit.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/977,296, entitled “Medical Procedure,” filed on Oct. 3, 2007, with inventor Ronald James Wells, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention pertains generally to medical procedures and more particularly to an improved method and kit for lubricating a catheter to be used in urology departments of hospitals and by urology patients while in their own homes or when away from home. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE FIELD 
       [0003]    Currently, many patients needing catheterization are limited to two options—“Turp” surgery or Self-catheterization. Surgery is often eschewed due to its inherent risks, leaving self-catheterization—or Intermittent Catheterization—as the remaining option. Self-catheterization can be uncomfortable, cumbersome, and messy. Users of the currently available self-catheterization methods may feel trapped in a difficult procedure, such that they do not have the freedom to travel or enjoy a full social life. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a simple and effective way for a patient to hold steady a catheter for lubrication, to facilitate insertion, usage, and removal. The present invention may also include a kit for such lubrication, for traveling, etc. 
         [0005]    One embodiment of the invention comprises a kit including a connector strip with a fastener mounted thereon, such connector strip being capable of temporarily mounting to a mounting location and of holding steady a catheter (typically with a hole for threading the catheter therethrough) for lubrication. The kit may also include a travel-sized bottle of lubricant, a plurality of cleansing towelettes, and/or other convenience items. 
         [0006]    The fastener may be chosen from the two-part type—such as a hook-and-loop fastener—so that one portion may be mounted on the connector strip and the mating portion mounted on the mounting location(s). The user can then temporarily mount the connector strip to the mounting location(s) when needed. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting location is chosen to be on the user&#39;s clothing so that the user will always have a suitable mounting location with him. In this case, an optimum mounting location may be on the inside of the waistband of the user&#39;s pants, providing that the mounting location will be in proximity to the insertion point of the catheter. 
         [0007]    In alternate embodiments, the mounting locations may be chosen as any suitable locations in the bathrooms or other locations such as portable stands or walkers. In this case, the user can use the most convenient mounting location available at the necessary time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from- reading the following description in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a kit of a preferred embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a detail view of a connector strip with fastener portion mounted; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a detail view of a linking step threading the catheter into the slotted hole of the connector strip; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a detail view of a preferred mounting location for a fastener portion; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a detail view showing the threaded catheter; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a detail view showing the threaded catheter being held up and ready for lubrication; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a detail view showing an alternate mounting location for a fastener portion; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a detail view showing a bottle being secured to the user&#39;s hand using a rubber band. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The following specification describes apparati and method for improved catheter lubrication and kit therefor. In the description, specific materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a more complete understanding of the present invention. But it is understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without those specific details. In some instances, well-known elements are not described precisely so as not to obscure the invention. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows the kit  10  of the preferred embodiment, including the basic elements of a plastic connector strip  12 , a two-part hook-and-loop fastener with hook portion  14   a  mounted on the connector strip  12  and loop portion(s)  14   b  available for affixing to the mounting location(s), a plastic bottle  16 , and a pouch  26  for carrying the elements of the kit. The kit may also include a plurality of cleansing towelettes  18 , a zippered (or otherwise sealable) plastic bag (not shown) for stowing the catheter  22 , an application brush (not shown) for applying glue to the loop portions  14 b of the hook-and-loop fastener(s) to affix them to the chosen mounting locations, a rubber band  25 , and instructions for use. The elements shown will usually fit easily within a man&#39;s pants pocket and can be carried inconspicuously to be used as necessary. It is noted that a catheter  22  typically requires a prescription and so is not a part of this invention, but can be carried in the pouch  26  with the rest of the kit  10  (the kit may include a plastic bag—such as a see-through Ziploc™ bag—for carrying the catheter). It is assumed that the user will already have the necessary catheter. 
         [0019]    The particular lubricant used must also be provided by the user. However, an appropriately sized plastic bottle  16  is provided as part of the kit—usually what is considered a ‘travel size.’ The kit&#39;s bottle  16  may be filled from the user&#39;s larger lubricant bottle and is sized to hold a reasonable amount of lubricant for the kit&#39;s purpose. The inventor has found that an optimum size and type of bottle  16  may be an oval shape that holds approximately ¾ oz of lubricant. The bottle  16  is also sized to fit in the user&#39;s hand. (The kit&#39;s bottle  16  can be held in the user&#39;s hand using the rubber band  25  when countertops or shelves are not available, and this sort of information may be included in the instruction sheet.) 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows details of the connector strip  12  of the preferred embodiment. The connector strip  12  is typically a generally flat, generally rectangular rigid piece of plastic (but could be wood, metal, or the like) with a slotted hole  30  at one end—located so that the hole is proximate an edge and the slot communicates the hole to the edge. (The invention could also be practiced with a round hole instead of a slotted hole, but the slot makes insertion of the catheter cleaner and easier.) The corners of the connector strip may be clipped (as shown), smoothed, rounded, or the like for safety and convenience. A first portion of the two-part, removable fastener will be permanently mounted at the opposing end—typically spaced apart from the slotted hole  30 . Although any type of appropriate fastener could be used—such as snaps, hook-and-eye, or other type fasteners—in the preferred embodiment, hook-and-loop fasteners, such as Velcro™, are used, and the hook portion  14   a  is permanently mounted to the connector strip  12 . This allows that the second mating portion(s), here the loop portion(s)  14   b,  the softer portions, can be affixed to the chosen mounting location(s)  32 . In a preferred method, a chosen mounting location  32  for the second mating (loop) portion  14   b  is the inside waistband of the user&#39;s clothing (as shown in later figures). Steps for affixing the second loop portion(s) to the mounting location(s)—perhaps using an applicator such as an application brush that may be supplied in the kit—may be included in the instruction sheet. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows one way to thread the catheter  22  through the slotted hole  30 . In the preferred embodiment of the connector strip  12 , the slotted hole is sized to accommodate a catheter up to size #16. Alternate embodiments could be sized to accommodate different sizes of catheters. The user can stretch the catheter so as to insert it through the slot to be seated in the hole  30 . A typical catheter has a flared end and a looped end. If the catheter also defines a flange, then the user can manipulate the catheter so that the flange rests against the connector strip. Once seated thusly, the catheter  22  will be held within the slotted hole  30 , and the user can then removably attach the connector strip  12  to the mounting location  32  so that the flared end of the catheter points downward into the toilet. Again, these steps may be included in the instruction sheet. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a preferred choice for a mounting location  32 . In the preferred embodiment shown, the loop portion  14   b  of the Velcro™ hook-and-loop fastener is permanently affixed to the inside waistband of the user&#39;s shorts/pants. This provides for a proximate mounting location for the connector strip  12  holding the catheter  22 . If the user positions the mounting location  32  on the hard surface of the toilet seat, he can ensure a more stable base for the connector strip and the catheter  22 . The mounting location shown is on the inside rear part of the user&#39;s waistband, a preferred location for use with the user in a seated position. However, the method may be used with the user in a standing position, in which case, the preferred mounting location  32  is on the inside front of the waistband. 
         [0023]    Once the user has threaded the catheter  22  into the slotted hole  30  and mounted the connector strip to the mounting location  32  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) by temporarily mating the two portions  14   a  and  14   b  of the removable fastener, the catheter  22  may be lubricated as necessary before insertion and use.  FIG. 6  shows the user holding up the catheter for lubrication. After subsequent removal of the catheter, the user cleans up and repacks his pouch  26  with the elements of the kit. 
         [0024]      FIG. 7  shows an alternate mounting location  32  for the connector strip  12 . In the case shown, the user has affixed a loop portion  14   b  of the hook-and-loop fastener on the inside of the front waistband of his shorts. This alternate mounting location  32  affords the user a convenient mounting location in a standing position, as opposed to sitting on the toilet. 
         [0025]      FIG. 8  shows how the small lubricant bottle  16  can be securely held in the user&#39;s hand using the rubber band  25  to aid in the lubrication step. Strapping and securing the bottle  16  thusly can make the lubricant readily available when there are no countertops, shelves, or other horizontal surfaces available to the user for placing the bottle in proximity.