Patent Publication Number: US-2022226603-A1

Title: Reusable urinary catheter kits

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/861,066, filed Jun. 13, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure generally relates to urinary catheters. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to reusable urinary catheter kits. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Catheters are used to treat many different types of medical conditions and typically include an elongated shaft that is inserted into and through a passageway or lumen of the body. Catheters, and in particular intermittent catheters, are commonly used by those who suffer from various abnormalities of the urinary system, such as urinary retention or incontinence. With the advent of intermittent catheters, individuals with urinary system abnormalities can self-insert and self-remove intermittent catheters several times a day. 
     Urinary catheters are frequently provided as disposable, single-use items. A user will remove the catheter from a package, use the catheter once, and then dispose of the catheter and the package. Reusable urinary catheters could, thus, be advantageous in reducing the amount of waste created by the use disposable catheters, but there are various challenges associated with the use of reusable catheters (including storage, transport, and sterilization) that must be overcome before widespread acceptance and use of reusable catheters. 
     SUMMARY 
     There are several aspects of the present subject matter which may be embodied separately or together in the devices and systems described and claimed below. These aspects may be employed alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and the description of these aspects together is not intended to preclude the use of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspects separately or in different combinations as set forth in the claims appended hereto. 
     In one aspect, a reusable urinary catheter kit includes a housing and a reusable urinary catheter. The housing includes a first member, a second member defining a lid, a tether extending between the first and second members, and a chamber defined by the first and second members and the tether, with the first member defining an access opening of the chamber. The reusable urinary catheter is at least partially positioned within the chamber. The second member is adjustably associated to the first member by the tether and configured to move between a closed condition in which the lid overlays the access opening to enclose the reusable urinary catheter within the chamber and an open condition in which the lid is spaced from the access opening. 
     In another aspect, a method for sterilizing a reusable urinary catheter includes positioning a reusable urinary catheter within a chamber of a housing. The housing includes a first member, a second member defining a lid, and a tether extending between the first and second members, with the chamber being defined by the first and second members and the tether, and with the first member defining an access opening of the chamber. The second member is moved from an open condition in which the lid is spaced from the access opening to a closed condition in which the lid overlays the access opening to enclose the reusable urinary catheter within the chamber, followed by sterilization of the reusable urinary catheter within the chamber. 
     In yet another aspect, a reusable urinary catheter kit includes a housing, a chassis removably positioned within the housing, and a reusable urinary catheter removably secured to the chassis. The housing includes a base having first and second ends, with a lid pivotally secured to the first end of the base, movable between a closed condition overlaying the base and an open condition pivoted away from the base, and defining an aperture. The housing further includes a cap pivotally secured to the second end of the base and movable between a closed condition overlaying the aperture and an open condition pivoted away from the base and the lid. The chassis defines a fluid flow path extending between an access opening and the reusable urinary catheter, with the access opening being generally aligned with the aperture when the chassis is positioned within the base and the lid is in the closed condition. 
     In another aspect, a method for sterilizing a reusable urinary catheter includes securing a reusable urinary catheter to a chassis and positioning the chassis into a housing having a base, a lid pivotally secured to a first end of the base, and a cap pivotally secured to a second end of the base. The lid is moved from an open condition pivoted away from the base to a closed condition overlaying the base. The cap is moved from an open condition pivoted away from the base and the lid to a closed condition overlaying an aperture defined by the lid. The reusable urinary catheter is then sterilized within the housing. 
     In yet another aspect, a urinary catheter includes a catheter shaft and a funnel secured to the catheter shaft, with proximal and distal openings and a plurality of lateral openings defined in the funnel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a reusable urinary catheter kit according to an aspect of the present disclosure, with a housing of the kit in a closed condition prior to use; 
         FIGS. 2-4  are perspective views of the kit of  FIG. 1 , with the housing in various open conditions; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views of the kit of  FIG. 1 , with the housing in an open condition and suspended from a support, with a reusable urinary catheter being removed from the housing in  FIG. 5  and returned to the housing in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the kit of  FIG. 1 , with the housing being at least partially filled with a sterilization fluid; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the kit of  FIG. 1 , with the housing being moved from the open condition of  FIG. 7  toward a closed condition; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the kit of  FIG. 1 , in a closed condition following use; 
         FIG. 10  is an alternative embodiment of the kit of  FIG. 1 , with a housing of the kit in a closed condition; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the housing of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the kit of  FIG. 1 , with a housing of the kit in a closed condition; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the housing of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a reusable urinary catheter kit according to an aspect of the present disclosure, with a housing of the kit in a closed condition; 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  are perspective views of the kit of  FIG. 14 , with a cap of the housing in an open condition, and with the kit being inverted in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the kit of  FIG. 14 , with a lid of the housing in an open condition; 
         FIGS. 18 and 19  are perspective views of a chassis and reusable urinary catheter of the kit of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the kit of  FIG. 14 , with the lid of the housing being closed; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the kit of  FIG. 14 , with the housing being at least partially filled with a sterilization fluid; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the kit of  FIG. 14 , with the lid of the housing being closed; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of the kit of  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the kit of  FIG. 14 , with a housing of the kit in a closed condition. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments disclosed herein are for the purpose of providing a description of the present subject matter, and it is understood that the subject matter may be embodied in various other forms and combinations not shown in detail. Therefore, specific embodiments and features disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting the subject matter as defined in the accompanying claims. 
     Reusable urinary catheter kits according to the present disclosure and their individual components may be variously configured without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, but in one embodiment, a reusable urinary catheter kit  10  is configured as shown in  FIG. 1 , with  FIGS. 2-9  showing steps of using and then sterilizing a reusable urinary catheter  12  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of the kit  10 . In particular, the illustrated kit  10  includes a housing or body  14  having first and second members  16  and  18  joined by a tether  20 . The first and second members  16  and  18  may be formed of a generally rigid material (e.g., a plastic material), while the tether  20  may be formed of a flexible and/or deformable material (e.g., an elastomeric material). By such a configuration, the tether  20  allows the position of the second member  18  to be adjusted with respect to the first member  16 . For example,  FIGS. 1 and 9  show the second member  18  in a closed condition, while  FIGS. 2-8  show the second member  18  in various open conditions. The closed and open conditions will be described in greater detail herein. 
     The first and second member  16  and  18  and the tether  20  each include or define a hollow section, with the hollow section of the tether  20  communicating with the hollow sections of the first and second members  16  and  18  to collectively define a single open region referred to herein as a chamber  22  ( FIG. 7 ). The chamber  22  is sized and configured to receive the reusable urinary catheter  12 , with a distal portion of the reusable urinary catheter  12  positioned in the hollow section of the second member  18 , a midsection of the reusable urinary catheter  12  positioned in the hollow section of the tether  20 , and a proximal portion of the reusable urinary catheter  12  positioned in the hollow section of the first member  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first member  16  defines an access opening  24  of the chamber  22  ( FIGS. 2-8 ) by which the reusable urinary catheter  12  may be removed from and returned to the chamber  22 . The reusable urinary catheter  12  may be entirely received within the chamber  22  or a portion of the reusable urinary catheter  12  (e.g., all or a portion of an introducer tip  26  associated with a proximal end of the reusable urinary catheter  12 ) may extend through the access opening  24  and remain outside of the chamber  22  (as in  FIGS. 2-4 ), which may assist in removing the reusable urinary catheter  12  from the chamber  22 . 
     In the closed condition of  FIG. 1 , a lid  28  of the second member  18  overlays the access opening  24  to enclose the reusable urinary catheter  12  within the chamber  22 . The lid  28  preferably forms a fluid-tight seal with the access opening  24  for fluid sterilization of the reusable urinary catheter  12  within the chamber  22 , as will be described in greater detail herein. The housing  14  is in the closed condition of  FIG. 1  during storage and transportation of the reusable urinary catheter  12 . It will be seen that the housing  14  is essentially folded in half onto itself in the closed condition (compare  FIGS. 1 and 4 ), with the hollow sections of the first and second members  16  and  18  being substantially parallel to each other (instead of being coaxial, as in  FIG. 4 ), thus decreasing the length of the kit  10  and making it more portable. As can also be seen in  FIG. 1 , the housing  14  defines a closed loop in the closed condition, which accommodate a user&#39;s fingers for improved handling and transport. 
     Due to the flexibility and/or deformability of the tether  20 , the position of the second member  18  with respect to the first member  16  may be adjusted (e.g., by pivoting the first and second members  16  and  18  away from each other) to move the lid  28  away from the access opening  24  to allow access to the chamber  22  (including the reusable urinary catheter  12 , if positioned therein) via the access opening  24 . Thus,  FIGS. 2-4  show the second member  18  being continuously moved or pivoted away from the first member  16  from the substantially parallel, closed condition of  FIG. 1  to the open, generally coaxial condition of  FIG. 4 . If the reusable urinary catheter  12  has previously been used and there is a sterilization fluid in the chamber  22 , the sterilization fluid may be poured out of the chamber  22  via the access opening  24 , as in  FIG. 3 . 
     When the housing  14  has been moved to the elongated, generally coaxial configuration of  FIG. 4  (referred to herein as a fully open condition), it may be hung from or otherwise supported by a handrail, toilet paper holder, towel rail, sink lip, or other support, with the access opening  24  oriented upwardly ( FIG. 5 ). To that end, the first member  16  may be provided with a proximal arcuate extension  30  that is associated with and extends away from a proximal portion of the first member  16 . The proximal arcuate extension  30  is shown as defining an approximately 180° arc, but it may be differently configured (or omitted) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The first member  16  is shown as also having a distal arcuate extension  32  that is associated with and extends away from a distal portion of the first member  16 . The distal arcuate extension  32  is shown as being substantially a mirror image of the proximal arcuate extension  30  and extending away from the first member  16  in the same direction as the proximal arcuate extension  30 . Such a configuration may be advantageous by providing the tether  20  with a guide or support, with the tether  20  being laid along a portion of the distal arcuate extension  32  when moving the second member  18  from the open condition to the closed condition. In the illustrated embodiment, each arcuate extension  30 ,  32  includes a free end  34 , with the free ends  34  of the arcuate extensions  30  and  32  being positioned directly adjacent to the second member  18  when the second member  18  is in the closed condition of  FIG. 1 . Each free end  34  preferably has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the portion of the second member  18  brought into the vicinity of the free end  34  in the closed condition of  FIG. 1 . For example, the free ends  34  are shown as each defining an arcuate channel facing and receiving an associated cylindrical portion of the second member  18 , though it should be understood that the free ends  34  may be differently configured without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     With the housing  14  suspended from a suitable support (or held by hand or laid on a horizontal surface), the reusable urinary catheter  12  may be removed from the chamber  22  via the access opening  24 , as in  FIG. 5 . The user uses the reusable urinary catheter  12  for catheterization and then returns the reusable urinary catheter  12  to the chamber  22 , as in  FIG. 6 . 
     Depending on the selected approach to sterilization of the reusable urinary catheter  12 , the housing  14  may either be returned to its closed condition (as in  FIGS. 8-9 ) or temporarily remain in the open condition. For example, if the reusable urinary catheter  12  is to be sterilized using a sterilization fluid  36 , as in  FIG. 7 , the housing  14  remains open to allow the chamber  22  to be partially filled with a sterilization fluid  36  via the access opening  24 . With the sterilization fluid  36  in the chamber  22 , the housing  14  may be returned to the closed condition (as in  FIGS. 8-9 ) to seal the reusable urinary catheter  12  and sterilization fluid  36  within the chamber  22 . The sterilization fluid  36  may be circulated through the chamber  22  to sterilize the reusable urinary catheter  12  before the next use, with the sterilization fluid  36  being emptied from the chamber  22  (as in  FIG. 3 ) prior to use. The sterilization fluid may be any suitable sterilization fluid, and when the catheter is a hydrophilic catheter, the sterilization fluid also may serve as a hydration medium that hydrates the hydrophilic material of the catheter. 
     The manner in which the sterilization fluid  36  is circulated through the chamber  22  may vary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the housing  14  may be manually agitated (e.g, by shaking it) to circulate the sterilization fluid  36  through the chamber  22 . Alternatively, the kit may be provided with a pump in fluid communication with the chamber, as in the embodiments of  FIGS. 10-13 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a pump is incorporated into the second member, with the chamber being extended to communicate with the pump. In  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the pump  38  is configured to be manually actuated, with a user squeezing or otherwise manipulating the pump  38  to circulate sterilization fluid  36  through the extended chamber  22 ′ (which may define a loop). For example, the pump  38  may be configured as a bulb to alternately draw sterilization fluid  36  into and then expel sterilization fluid  36  from the pump  38 . A manually actuated pump  38  may also include one or more one-way valves  40  ( FIG. 11 ), which enforces circulation of the sterilization fluid  36  through the pump  38  (and, hence, through the chamber  22 ′) in only one direction. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , an electromechanical pump  42  is provided for circulating sterilization fluid through an extended chamber  22 ′ (which may define a loop). The housing  14  may be provided with a button or actuator  44  or the like for actuating a power source  46  of the pump  42 , along with indicators  48  (e.g., LEDs) showing the status of the sterilization process. In addition to visual indicators, an audible indicator (e.g., an alarm) may be provided to signify that the reusable urinary catheter  12  has been suitably sterilized and is ready for reuse. 
     Alternatively, or in addition to the use of a sterilization fluid, a sterilizing light may be employed to sterilize the reusable urinary catheter  12 . In such an embodiment, the reusable urinary catheter  12  may be enclosed within the chamber  22  following use without adding a sterilization fluid  36 . With the housing  14  in the closed condition of  FIG. 9 , at least one light source associated with the chamber  22  is activated by the user (e.g., by pressing a button), causing the at least one light source to irradiate at least a portion of the reusable urinary catheter  12  with sterilizing light (e.g., ultraviolet light). As in the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the housing  14  of such a kit may be provided with one or more indicators  48  (visible and/or audible) displaying the status of the sterilization process. 
       FIGS. 14-23  illustrate an alternative embodiment of a reusable urinary catheter kit  50  and a method of using and then sterilizing a reusable urinary catheter  12  of the kit  50 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 14-23 , the kit  50  includes a housing or body  52  having a base  54  with first and second ends  56  and  58  ( FIG. 17 ). A lid  60  is pivotally secured to the first end  56  of the base  54 , while a cap  62  is pivotally secured to the second end  58  of the base  54 . The base  54 , lid  60 , and cap  62  may be formed of a generally rigid material, such as a plastic material. 
     The lid  60  and the cap  62  are each movable between a closed condition, in which they are pivoted toward the base  54  (as in  FIG. 14 ) and an open condition in which they are pivoted away from the base  54  (as in  FIG. 17 ). More particularly, in the closed condition, the lid  60  is positioned to contact and overlay the base  54 , while the cap  62  is positioned to contact and overlay a portion of the lid  60 . In the closed condition, the cap  62  overlays an aperture  64  defined in the lid  60  ( FIG. 15 ) to provide a fluid-tight seal to a fluid flow path that is accessible via the aperture  64 , as will be described in greater detail herein. 
     A chassis  66  is removably positioned within the housing  52  ( FIG. 17 ). The chassis  66  may be formed of a generally rigid material, such as a plastic material, with a reusable urinary catheter  12  removably secured to the chassis  66 , such as by being at least partially wrapped around the chassis  66 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base  54  includes a hub  68  ( FIG. 17 ) configured to be received within a central opening  70  defined by the chassis  66 . The hub  68  serves to secure the chassis  66  within the base  54 , while also properly orienting the chassis  66  within the base  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, the central opening  70  is larger than the hub  68 , allowing for a user to place a finger into the central opening  70  (laterally of the hub  68 ) to grip the chassis  66  for removal of the chassis  66  from the base  54 . 
     The chassis  66  defines a fluid flow path  72  ( FIG. 23 ) extending between an access opening  74  ( FIG. 74 ) and the reusable urinary catheter  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid flow path  72  extends between the access opening  74  and a funnel port  76  ( FIG. 23 ) defined by the chassis  66 . If provided, the funnel port  76  is sized and configured to be received by a distal opening  78  of a funnel  80  of the reusable urinary catheter  12 , such that the fluid flow path  72  provides for fluid communication between the access opening  74  and the reusable urinary catheter  12 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the access opening  74  is generally aligned with the aperture  64  of the lid  60  when the chassis  66  is positioned within the base  54  and the lid  60  is in its closed condition. 
     The chassis  66  may be variously configured without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the chassis  66  includes a funnel clip  82 , with the funnel  80  of the reusable urinary catheter  12  removably received by the funnel clip  82  (and with a distal opening  78  of the funnel  80  seated upon the funnel port  76 , if provided). The illustrated chassis  66  further includes an introducer tip clip  84 , with an introducer tip  86  of the reusable urinary catheter  12  received in the introducer tip clip  84 . The introducer tip clip  84  may be configured to allow removal of the introducer tip  84  therefrom or may be configured for the introducer tip  86  to be retained therein during use of the reusable urinary catheter  12 , as in  FIG. 19 . 
     The illustrated chassis  66  further defines an arcuate groove  88  configured to removably receive a portion of a catheter shaft  90  of the reusable urinary catheter  12 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the introducer tip clip  84  and the arcuate groove  88  may both be incorporated into a first extension  92  of the chassis  66 , with the introducer tip clip  84  positioned outwardly of the arcuate groove  88 . The chassis  66  is also shown with a perimeter groove  94 , which removably receives another portion of the catheter shaft  90 . In the illustrated embodiment, the funnel clip  82  and the perimeter groove  94  are both incorporated into a second extension  96  of the chassis  66 , with the perimeter groove  94  positioned outwardly of the funnel clip  82 . 
     To secure the reusable urinary catheter  12  to the illustrated chassis  66 , the introducer tip  86  is pressed into the introducer tip clip  84  (if the introducer tip  86  has been removed from the introducer tip clip  84 ), followed by wrapping the catheter shaft  90  around the chassis  66 , with portions of the catheter shaft  90  received by the perimeter groove  94  and the arcuate groove  88 . The end of the chassis  66  opposite the first extension  92  may include a second perimeter groove  98 , in which case a portion of the catheter shaft  90  may be received by the second perimeter groove  98  when wrapping the catheter shaft  90  around the chassis  66 . Finally, the funnel  80  is pressed into the funnel clip  82  and over the funnel port  76 . Alternatively, the funnel  80  may be secured to the funnel clip  82  and funnel port  76  first, followed by the catheter shaft  90  being wrapped around the chassis  66  (including being received by the arcuate groove  88 , the perimeter groove  94 , and the second perimeter groove  94 , if provided), and then the introducer tip  86  being secured to the introducer tip clip  84 . The installation process may be reversed to dissociate the reusable urinary catheter  12  from the chassis  66 . 
     In use, the cap  62  is rotated from its closed condition to its open condition (as in  FIG. 15 ) to expose the aperture  64  of the lid  60  and the access opening  74  of the chassis  66 . If the fluid flow channel  72  is filled with a sterilization fluid, the kit  50  is inverted to drain the sterilization fluid from the fluid flow channel  72  via the access opening  74  and the aperture  64  ( FIG. 16 ). The kit  50  is then inverted again to orient the lid  60  to face upwardly, followed by the lid  60  being moved from its closed condition to its open condition, as in  FIG. 17 . Next, the chassis  66  is removed from the base  54  ( FIG. 18 ) and the reusable urinary catheter  12  is all or partially dissociated from the chassis  66  ( FIG. 19 ). The user then uses the reusable urinary catheter  12  for catheterization. 
     Following catheterization, the reusable urinary catheter  12  is reconnected to the chassis  66  and then the chassis  66  is returned to the base  54 , as in  FIG. 20 . The lid  60  is then moved from its open condition to its closed condition, as in  FIG. 21 . Depending on the selected approach to sterilization of the reusable urinary catheter  12 , the cap  62  may either be returned to its closed condition (as in  FIG. 22 ) or temporarily remain in the open condition. For example, if the reusable urinary catheter  12  is to be sterilized using a sterilization fluid  36 , as in  FIG. 21 , the cap  62  remains in its open condition to allow the fluid flow path  72  to be partially filled with the sterilization fluid  36  via the opening  64  of the lid  60  and the access opening  74 . With the sterilization fluid  36  in the fluid flow path  72 , the cap  62  may be returned to its closed condition (as in  FIG. 22 ) to seal the reusable urinary catheter  12  and sterilization fluid  36  within the housing  52 . The sterilization fluid  36  may be circulated through the fluid flow path  72  and along the reusable urinary catheter  12  before the next use, with the sterilization fluid  36  being emptied from the housing  52  (as in  FIG. 16 ) prior to use. 
     The manner in which the sterilization fluid  36  is circulated through the fluid flow path  72  and along the reusable urinary catheter  12  may vary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the housing  52  may be manually agitated (e.g., by shaking it) to circulate the sterilization fluid  36  through the fluid flow path  72  and along the reusable urinary catheter  12 . Alternatively, the kit  50  may be provided with a pump in fluid communication with the fluid flow path  72 , which may be either manually actuated or electromechanical, as described above with respect to the embodiments of  FIGS. 10-13 . In yet another embodiment, at least one light source is associated with the base  54  and/or the lid  60  and configured to irradiate at least a portion of the reusable urinary catheter  12  with sterilizing light when the housing  52  is in its closed condition. If the kit  50  is provided with an electromechanical pump or a source of sterilizing light, the housing  52  may include a button or actuator  100  ( FIG. 24 ) configured to be pressed or otherwise manipulated by a user to begin sterilization of the reusable urinary catheter  12 . Such a housing  52  may also include one or more visible and/or audible indicators displaying the status of the sterilization process. 
     For any of the embodiments described herein that include a sterilizing light source and a hydrophilic coated catheter, the light source may be used to refresh or replenish the hydrophilic coating of the catheter. Hydrophilic catheter coatings are formed from a hydrophilic polymer. In one embodiment the sterilization fluid or hydration medium may contain a hydrophilic polymer in the fluid/medium wherein the hydrophilic polymer is the same polymer as that in the coating or one that is compatible with the hydrophilic polymer of the coating. When the sterilization fluid or hydration medium comes into contact with the hydrophilic coating of the catheter, some of the hydrophilic polymer from the fluid/medium remains on or becomes entangled with the polymer of the hydrophilic coating. Exposure to the sterilizing light source promotes or initiates cross-linking between the hydrophilic polymer of the fluid/medium and the hydrophilic coating of the catheter, thereby refreshing or replenishing the hydrophilic coating with new or additional polymer material. 
     It should be understood that the kits described herein are merely exemplary and that the kits may include additional components, such as a magnet configured to secure the lid of the housing in its closed condition, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For embodiments in which a sterilization fluid is circulated through the kit, the fluid path may include one or more filters or screens configured to entrap debris circulating through the fluid path. Each filter or screen may be placed in any suitable location within the fluid path and may be variously configured without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter or screen may be provided as a flat mesh with pores that are sized and configured to entrap particulates that may be present in urine. In other embodiments, the filter or screen may be differently configured (e.g., being formed of a woven or non-woven material), including having any pore size and/or porosity. If multiple filters or screens are provided, they may be substantially identical or differently configured and may be positioned at any suitable location with respect to each other. In one embodiment, the filter or screen may be placed in the return loop returning fluid to the pump for recycling. In this embodiment, the filter entraps debris prior to the fluid entering the pump and being returned back into the compartment with the catheter. 
     Additionally, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for the kits and individual components thereof to be variously configured. For example, the reusable urinary catheter  12  may be provided according to conventional design or may have a different configuration. In one embodiment, the funnel  80  of the reusable urinary catheter  12  may be unconventionally configured. Such a funnel  80  may include proximal and distal openings  102  and  78  and be generally frusto-conically shaped (as is typical), but further includes a plurality of lateral apertures  104 , as shown in  FIG. 23 . In embodiments in which a sterilization fluid is employed, it is advantageous to expose both the inner surface of the catheter shaft  90  and the outer surface of the catheter shaft  90  to the sterilization fluid. The hollow interior of the funnel  80  communicates with the hollow interior of the catheter shaft  90 , so sterilization fluid conveyed into and through the funnel  80  (from its distal opening  78  to its proximal opening  102 ) will flow into the catheter shaft  90  to sterilize the inner surface of the catheter shaft  90 . By providing a plurality of lateral openings  104 , a portion of the sterilization fluid is allowed to travel from the hollow interior of the funnel  80 , through the lateral openings  104 , and to a position outside of the funnel  80 . In the illustrated embodiment, a sleeve or sheath  106  surrounding the catheter shaft  90  extends between the introducer tip  86  and the funnel  80 , with the lateral openings  104  directing sterilization fluid into the space between the sleeve  106  and the external surface of the catheter shaft  90  to sterilize the external surface of the catheter shaft  90 . It should be understood that, while such a configuration may be especially advantageous for a reusable urinary catheter  12 , it is also within the scope of the present disclosure for such a funnel  80  to be incorporated into a disposable urinary catheter and/or to be provided separately from a kit of the type described herein. 
     It will be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present subject matter. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter, including those combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein. For these reasons, the scope hereof is not limited to the above description but is as set forth in the following claims, and it is understood that claims may be directed to the features hereof, including as combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein.