Patent Description:
Certain medical devices, such as intermittent urinary catheters, are commonly used by those who suffer from various abnormalities of the urinary system, such as urinary incontinence. Urinary catheters generally comprise a shaft portion with two ends. A first end has a catheter tip that is inserted into a user's urethra. A second end generally has a funnel that is used to help facilitate and direct urine drainage.

These urinary catheters are usually stored in a package that is openable but not reclosable. Typically, a user opens the package, throws the package away, uses the catheter, and then disposes the catheter separately from the package. During disposal of the catheter after use urine may leak from the spent catheter, creating an undesirable mess. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved intermittent urinary catheter product as shown and described herein.

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, an intermittent urinary catheter product is disclosed. The catheter product includes a package having opposed front and rear panels that are sealed together to define a sealed interior cavity. The package has top and bottom edges and opposed side edges. The front panel has an inner surface, and the rear panel has an inner surface. At least one of the inner surface of the front panel and the inner surface of the rear panel includes a reclosable member associated therewith. The reclosable member has a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel with one of the edges. The front and rear panels of the package are tearable adjacent to the reclosable member and in a direction parallel to the reclosable member. The tearing of the front and rear panels forms an opening in the package adjacent to the reclosable member and in communication with the interior. The reclosable member is configured to attach the inner surface of the front panel to the inner surface of the rear panel so as to close the opening. A hydration fluid is contained within the cavity and a hydrophilic urinary catheter is contained within the cavity.

In another aspect, a package for use in an intermittent urinary catheter product is disclosed. The package includes a front panel and a rear panel. The front panel is opposed to the rear panel and the front and rear panels are sealed together to define a sealed interior cavity. The package also has a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge and the second side edge is opposed to the first side edge. The front panel has an inner surface, and the rear panel has an inner surface. At least one of the inner surface of the front panel and the inner surface of the rear panel includes a reclosable member associated therewith. The reclosable member has a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel with one of the edges. The front and rear panels of the package are tearable adjacent to the reclosable member and in a direction parallel to the reclosable member. Tearing of the front and rear panels forms an opening in the package adjacent to the reclosable member and in communication with the interior. The reclosable member is configured to attach to the inner surface of the front panel to the inner surface of the rear panel so as to close the opening. The cavity is configured to contain a hydration fluid and a hydrophilic urinary catheter.

<FIG> illustrate an embodiment of an intermittent urinary catheter product <NUM> including a package <NUM>, which may be generally rectangular or any other suitable shape. For example, the package may be sustainably round or oval, or may be a polygonal shape. The package <NUM> has opposed front and rear panels (<NUM> and <NUM>, respectively) that are sealed together to define a sealed interior cavity <NUM> (<FIG>). The panels <NUM>, <NUM> may be sealed together by any suitable method such as heat sealing. The sealed interior cavity <NUM> may be airtight and watertight when closed such that it is suitable for sterilely containing an intermittent urinary catheter <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). The package <NUM> has top and bottom edges (<NUM> and <NUM>, respectively) and opposed side edges (<NUM> and <NUM>, respectively).

As shown in <FIG>, the package <NUM> is tearable such that an opening <NUM> is formed in the package <NUM> when a user tears the package <NUM>. The opening <NUM> is in communication with the cavity <NUM> and allows access to the urinary catheter <NUM> within the cavity <NUM>. The package <NUM> may include tear direction element(s) associated with the package <NUM> to facilitate tearing in a desired direction, such as in a substantially straight line adjacent and parallel to an edge of the package <NUM>. The tear elements may be tear tape, tear strip(s) or may be the material of the panels. For example, the material of the panels may include an orientated polymer that directs tearing of the panels in a substantially straight line in a desired direction. As shown, the front panel <NUM> has an inner surface <NUM>, and the rear panel <NUM> has an inner surface <NUM>. The inner surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> define the cavity <NUM>. Each panel <NUM>, <NUM> may include a tear element that promotes tearing of each panel parallel and adjacent to edge <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the package <NUM> is tearable parallel to the side edge <NUM>. However, in alternative embodiments the package <NUM> and the panels <NUM>, <NUM> may be tearable parallel to the other edges.

As shown in <FIG>, the package <NUM> may include a gripping member <NUM>, such as a finger hole to help the user tear the package <NUM>. The gripping member <NUM> may be in a sealed portion 138a of the package <NUM>. To tear the package <NUM>, the user may place a finger in the gripping member <NUM> and pull such that the front and rear panels <NUM>, <NUM> of the package tear parallel to edge <NUM>, exposing the opening <NUM> and allowing access to the cavity <NUM>. The torn portion 112a (<FIG>) of the package <NUM> may be torn completely off such that the portion 112a may be removed after tearing. In alternative embodiments, the torn portion 112a may remain attached to the package <NUM>. The package <NUM> and its parts may be made of any suitable flexible, and sealable material including but not limited to plastic or foil.

<FIG> shows the opening of the package <NUM>. As shown in this figure, at least one of the inner surface <NUM> of the front panel <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the rear panel <NUM> includes a reclosable member <NUM> associated therewith. The reclosable member <NUM> has a longitudinal axis A (<FIG>) that is generally parallel with at least one of the edges, and in the illustrated embodiment side edge <NUM>. The front and rear panels <NUM>, <NUM> of the package <NUM> are tearable adjacent to the reclosable member <NUM>. Thus, the front and rear panels <NUM>, <NUM> are tearable between the edge <NUM> of the package <NUM> and the reclosable member <NUM>. Accordingly, the tearing of the front and rear panels <NUM>, <NUM> forms the opening <NUM> in the package <NUM> adjacent to the reclosable member <NUM> and in communication with the interior cavity <NUM>.

The reclosable member <NUM> is configured to provide a mechanism for closing the package <NUM> after the user has opened the package <NUM>. The reclosable member <NUM> is configured to attach the inner surface <NUM> of the front panel <NUM> to the inner surface <NUM> of the rear panel <NUM> so as to close the opening <NUM> with or without a watertight seal. Optionally, the reclosable member <NUM> provides a watertight seal for closing the opening <NUM>.

In the invention as shown in <FIG>, the reclosable member <NUM> includes a male member <NUM> and a female member <NUM>. In the invention, the male member <NUM> is associated with inner surface <NUM> of front panel <NUM> and the female member <NUM> is associated with the inner surface <NUM> of the rear panel. The male and female members <NUM>, <NUM> may be attached the inner surface in any suitable manner, such as by heat sealing or adhesive. The male member <NUM> and the female member <NUM> are configured to detachably interlock. For example, the male member <NUM> may be configured to interlock with the female member <NUM> in a push fit or an interference fit. In the invention, the male member <NUM> is a ridge, and the female member <NUM> is a groove, where the groove is configured to receive the ridge. Though a ridge and groove are shown, not in the scope of the invention, any other appropriate known mechanism for opening and closing the package <NUM> may be used to form the reclosable member. In order to close the reclosable member <NUM>, the user may press the male member <NUM> into the female member <NUM> and to open the reclosable member <NUM>, the user may disconnect the male member <NUM> from the female member <NUM> by pulling the male member <NUM> in a first direction and pulling the female member <NUM> in an opposite direction such that the male member <NUM> and female member <NUM> are disengaged. As shown, the male member <NUM> may be on an opposing inner surface from the female member <NUM>, so that the user may pull one inner surface <NUM> away from the other inner surface <NUM> to disengage the male member <NUM> from the female member <NUM>. The male member <NUM> and female member <NUM> may span any appropriate length of the front panel inner surface <NUM> and the rear panel inner surface <NUM>, respectively. In one embodiment, the male member <NUM> and female member <NUM> span a length so as to substantially close the opening <NUM>, and in one alternative to form a liquid-tight seal.

In an embodiment the male member and female member may span the entire length of the package <NUM> in a continuous manner, such as a zip-lock type configuration, where the user presses the male member into the female member in a continuous fashion. In other embodiments the male and female member may be configured in a discontinuous formation such that a user may press the male member into the female member at various points along the inner surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. The male and female members may be made of any suitable material including polyethylene terephthalate and other plastic polymers.

Not forming part of the invention, <FIG> show an alternative reclosable member <NUM>, where the reclosable member <NUM> includes a sealing strip <NUM>. The sealing strip <NUM> may be a double-sided adhesive wherein one side of the adhesive is initially adhered to the inner surface of a panel of the package <NUM>. As shown, the sealing strip <NUM> may be positioned on the front panel inner surface <NUM>. The sealing strip <NUM> may include a removable covering <NUM>, such as a release liner, that covers the other side of the adhesive prior to use. As shown in <FIG>, a user may pull the removable covering <NUM> away from the sealing strip <NUM> to expose the adhesive. The removable covering <NUM> prevents the adhesive from prematurely causing the two panels <NUM>, <NUM> to stick together. When the user is ready to reclose the opening <NUM>, the user may remove the covering <NUM> from the sealing strip <NUM>, exposing the adhesive, and press the sealing strip <NUM> against the rear panel inner surface <NUM>. When the user presses the adhesive covered surface of the sealing strip <NUM> to the rear panel inner surface <NUM>, the sealing strip <NUM> sticks to the rear panel inner surface <NUM>, closing the opening <NUM> and resealing the cavity <NUM>. The adhesive may be made out of any suitable material for reclosing the package <NUM>, such as a glue or an adhesive tape. Preferably the adhesive will be liquid resistant, such that if liquid touches the adhesive, the adhesive will still retain its adhesive properties. Though in the example shown the reclosable member <NUM> is on the front panel inner surface <NUM>, in alternative examples, the reclosable member may be configured such that a part of the reclosable member is on the front panel inner surface <NUM> and another part of the reclosable member <NUM> is on the rear panel inner surface <NUM>. In an example, the sealing strip <NUM> and removable covering <NUM> may run continuously along the front and/or rear inner surfaces of the package <NUM>. Alternatively, the sealing strip <NUM> and removable covering <NUM> may be configured in a discontinuous fashion.

As shown, in <FIG> and <FIG>, a hydrophilic urinary catheter <NUM> is contained within the cavity <NUM> of the package <NUM>. A hydration fluid <NUM> is also contained within the cavity <NUM> such that the hydration fluid <NUM> hydrates the urinary catheter <NUM> when the urinary catheter <NUM> is stored in the package <NUM>. The hydrated catheter <NUM> is thus ready for use when the user opens the package <NUM>. The hydration fluid may be any suitable fluid for hydrating the catheter <NUM> including water. The catheter <NUM> has a distal end <NUM> including a funnel <NUM> and a proximal end <NUM> including a tip <NUM>. The tip <NUM>, optionally, may be configured to detachably interconnect with an interior portion of the funnel <NUM>. The tip <NUM> and funnel <NUM> may be connected, for example, in an interference fit or push fit. As shown, the catheter <NUM> may form a closed loop when the tip <NUM> and funnel <NUM> are interconnected. In other embodiments, the catheter <NUM> may be in a straight configuration. For example, shorter female catheters may be in a straight configuration. When the catheter <NUM> is stored in the cavity <NUM>, the tip <NUM> and funnel <NUM> may, but do not necessarily, interconnect in the closed loop configuration for more compact storage. When the user is ready to use the catheter <NUM>, the user tears the package <NUM> open. After the package <NUM> is torn open, the user then may remove the catheter <NUM> from the package <NUM>, detach the tip <NUM> from the funnel <NUM>, if so attached, and use the catheter <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, after use, when ready to dispose of the catheter <NUM>, the user may place the catheter <NUM> back into the package <NUM> through opening <NUM> (<FIG>). If the catheter is so designed, the user may reattach the tip <NUM> to the funnel <NUM>, such that the catheter is again in the closed-loop configuration and replace the closed-loop catheter <NUM> into the cavity <NUM> of the package <NUM>. The catheter <NUM> may be placed in the package <NUM> such that the entirety of the catheter <NUM> fits into the cavity <NUM> below the reclosable member. The user may then close the reclosable member, resealing the package <NUM>, as described above. After reclosing, the user may dispose of the product <NUM> by placing it in a trash receptacle.

Other variations and combinations may also be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
An intermittent urinary catheter product (<NUM>), comprising:
a package (<NUM>) having opposed front and rear panels (<NUM>, <NUM>) that are sealed together to define a sealed interior cavity (<NUM>), the package (<NUM>) having top and bottom edges (<NUM>, <NUM>) and opposed side edges (<NUM>,<NUM>);
characterized in that:
the front panel (<NUM>) having an inner surface (<NUM>) and the rear panel (<NUM>) have an inner surface (<NUM>), at least one of the inner surface (<NUM>) of the front panel (<NUM>) and the inner surface (<NUM>) of the rear panel (<NUM>) including a reclosable member (<NUM>) associated therewith, the reclosable member (<NUM>) having a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel with one of the edges;
the front and rear panels (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the package (<NUM>) being tearable adjacent the reclosable member (<NUM>) and in a direction parallel to the reclosable member (<NUM>), wherein the tearing of front and rear panels (<NUM>, <NUM>) forms an opening (<NUM>) in the package (<NUM>) adjacent the reclosable member (<NUM>) and in communication with the interior cavity (<NUM>);
the reclosable member (<NUM>) being configured to attach the inner surface (<NUM>) of the front panel (<NUM>) to the inner surface (<NUM>) of the rear panel (<NUM>) so as to close the opening (<NUM>), the reclosable member (<NUM>) including male member (<NUM>) comprising a ridge and a female member (<NUM>) comprising a groove;
a hydration fluid (<NUM>) contained within the interior cavity (<NUM>); and
a hydrophilic urinary catheter (<NUM>) contained within the interior cavity (<NUM>).