Patent Description:
A catheter is a medical device comprising a hollow catheter tube designed for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways or body cavities to permit injection, drainage or withdrawal of fluids or substances therefrom, or to ensure said canals, vessels, passageways etc. remain open. Urinary catheters are designed for use for insertion into a user's bladder via the urethra to drain the bladder.

To maximise comfort and minimise the risk of trauma and/or infection, an outer surface of the catheter tube is typically wetted using a wetting agent prior to insertion by the user. In further developments, the catheter tube itself comprises, is integrated with or is coated with a hydrophilic component (e.g. a hydrophilic polymer) which serves to reduce friction further upon application of the wetting agent.

Some catheters may be supplied pre-wetted in a packaging, for instance, where the catheter is at least partially submerged within wetting agent within the packaging. Whilst this may ensure the catheter tube is adequately wetted prior to use, such arrangements suffer in that components of the catheter other than the catheter tube such as a gripper element or funnel can also become wetted. This has a detrimental effect of the experience of the user where it may become difficult to hold and direct the catheter tube as required. This is particularly problematic where the user is performing self-catheterisation. Further, having the catheter submerged may effectively reduce the shelf-life of the catheter due to long-term exposure of components of the catheter to moisture.

It is therefore seen advantageous to provide a catheter which may be wetted at or immediately prior to the point of use.

In an attempt to address this, some catheters are provided in packaging which includes a rupturable container or sachet within the packaging which a user may burst to release the wetting agent. Typicaly, this involves the user squeezing the packaging to cause the container/sachet to break. However, such arrangements experience similar problems to those discussed above where the wetting agent is allowed to come into contact with other components of the catheter. Such arrangements also result in the possibility of the catheter tube not being fully wetted, or indeed wetted at all, prior to use. This can be harmful for the user.

It is therefore advantageous to provide a cathater which includes a means of supplying a wetting agent solely to the catheter tube to improve user experience.

<CIT> describes an automatic gel applying container for an intermittent urinary catheter.

<CIT> describes a disposable urine bag having sealed cavity members where one cavity stores an extendable catheter and also acts as a urine storage reservoir. A second sealed and peel-away cavity includes a catheter advancement mechanism which provides for lubricated catheter advancement without actual contact of the catheter by the human hand. An absorption member is provided to semi-solidify urine stored in the urine storage reservoir.

<CIT> describes a catheter assembly including an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end having at least one drainage opening. A fluid containing member arranged on the elongate member. A container containing the elongate member and the fluid containing member.

<CIT> describes a catheter assembly including a catheter at least partially positioned within a sleeve. The catheter has a coating, which produces a low-friction surface on the catheter when treated with an activating fluid. A protective tip is connected to the proximal end of the sleeve and has proximal and distal internal seals, with the proximal seal at the proximal end of the tip or between proximal and distal ends of the protective tip. A cap of the assembly has a projection, which is removably received within the protective tip for sealing engagement with the proximal and distal seals to define a fluid reservoir within the protective tip. An activating fluid is contained within the fluid reservoir. The projection may be partially hollow to receive a portion of the catheter. The sleeve may be relatively narrow or at least have a narrowed portion for better distribution of activating fluid to the surface of the catheter.

In further prior art solutions, the catheter may be packaged within a packaging which includes a wetting device. In use, the catheter tube may be moved through the wetting device as the catheter is removed from the packaging and in doing so wetting the catheter tube. Examples of such catheters are shown in PCT application No. <CIT> in the name of ConvaTec Limited.

However, due to packaging constraints the amount of wetting agent able to be contained in such wetting devices is low, and there therefore remains a possibility of the catheter tube not being fully wetted in such solutions, especially where the catheter is near the end of its shelf life and some of the solution may have evaporated.

For mechanisms which wet the catheter tube from the distal end, an insufficient volume of wetting agent may result in the tip end not being wetted at all which is undesirable since the tip end will be introduced into the urethra first and is hence most likely to cause injury if inadequately wetted before use.

Further a minamum length of catheter is required for regulatory approval and it is desirable to ensure that the length is wetted with a minimum impact on the packaging size.

It is an aim of an embodiment or embodiments of the invention to overcome or at least partially mitigate one or more problems with the prior art and/or to provide an improved intermittent catheter.

The present invention provides a catheter assembly according to the appended claims. According to the invention, a catheter assembly is provided comprising a catheter; and a wetting agent storage chamber in which the catheter is located, wherein the wetting agent storage chamber comprises at least one projection configured to guide the catheter within the wetting agent storage chamber, wherein the at least one projection retains a seal element in the wetting agent storage chamber, wherein the chamber comprises at least one radially extending end wall and at least one projection extending axially within the wetting agent storage chamber, the at least one projection terminating short of the end wall to define a void, wherein the seal element is seated in the void.

Providing a storage chamber having one or more features such as a projection to locate the catheter within the wetting chamber during withdrawal or reinsertion allows the positioning of the catheter to be controlled which provides for an improved wetting of a catheter tube of the catheter. During reinsertion it also ensures the catheter does not become trapped within the wetting agent storage chamber.

Providing a wetting agent storage chamber having one or more features such as a projection to locate a seal element therein can provide a convenient way to locate the seal element and maintain its relation to the wetting agent storage chamber during withdrawal of a catheter of the catheter assembly. This is beneficial as it ensures the seal element is correctly located upon reinsertion of the catheter into the wetting agent storage chamber, ensuring a seal is maintained after reinsertion. It also avoids the seal element being carried out on the catheter, which would obviously cause problems on insertion of the catheter into the urethra.

The at least one projection may comprise a plurality of ribs or fins. The plurality of ribs or fins may extend axially and radially. The at least one projection may comprise a plurality of pins. The at least one projection may comprise a plurality of pedestals. The at least one projection may comprise a plurality of flanges. The plurality of projections may comprise any combination of ribs and/or fins and/or pins and/or pedestals and/or flanges.

The storage chamber may comprise an axially extending radially outer wall and at least one radially extending end wall. The storage chamber may comprise a first radially extending end wall and a second radially extending end wall. The end walls may comprise one or more tubular flanges extending axially therefrom.

The plurality of projections may extend from either or both of the radially outer wall or the at least one end wall. The plurality of projections may extend radially inwards from the radially outer wall of the wetting agent storage chamber. The plurality of projections may be circumferentially distributed. There may be at least <NUM> projections. There may be at least <NUM> projections. There may be at least <NUM> projections. There may be at least <NUM> projections. There may be at least <NUM> projections. There may be <NUM> projections.

The catheter and storage chamber may be concentrically aligned.

The projections may be shaped to define a void. The void may be defined by a discontinuity in the projections. The projections may only partially extend along the axial extent of the storage chamber. The void may be partially defined by an axial edge of the projections. The void may be partially defined by an end wall of the storage chamber. The discontinuity may be provided by a first portion of each projection extending radially inwards by a first amount and a second portion of each projection extending radially inwards by a second, lesser amount.

The catheter may define a longitudinal axis and the each of the plurality of projections may lie in a plane defined by the longitudinal axis. The plurality of projections may be provided in diametrically opposing pairs.

The seal element may be elastomeric. The seal element may be annular. The seal element may be an O-ring. The seal element may be an X-ring or similar annular seal device. The seal element may be a U-cup seal.

The O-ring may be arranged in the void. The axial edges of the projections may define a seat for the seal element. The seat may axially restrain the seal element during transition of the catheter from a stowed position to a wetting position. The seat may axially restrain the seal element during withdrawal of the catheter. This is beneficial as it ensures the seal element is correctly located upon reinsertion of the catheter into the wetting agent storage chamber, ensuring a seal is maintained after reinsertion. It also avoids the seal element being carried out on the catheter, which would obviously cause problems on insertion of the catheter into the urethra.

The wetting agent storage chamber may comprise two openings arranged at opposing axial ends of the wetting agent storage chamber through which the catheter may pass. The projections may define a channel between the two openings.

The radially inner edges of the projections may define a guide for guiding the passage of the catheter during a withdrawal or re-passing/re-insertion of the catheter. The guide may extend at least <NUM>% of the distance between the two openings, preferably the guide may extend at least <NUM>% of the distance between the two openings. The guide may extend at least <NUM>% of the distance between the two openings. The guide may extend at least <NUM>% of the distance between the two openings. The guide may extend at least <NUM>% of the distance between the two openings. The guide may extend at least <NUM>% of the distance between the two openings.

The separation between the radially inner edges of adjacent projections may be less than the diameter of the catheter. By ensuring the separation between the radially inner edges of adjacent protections being less than the diameter of the catheter, the catheter is restricted from deviating from the channel defined by the projections.

The diameter of the guide may be approximately equal to the diameter of one or more openings of the wetting chamber. The diameter of the guide may be approximately equal to the diameter of sealing surface of the moveable insert. The diameter of the guide may be larger than the diameter of sealing surface of the moveable insert.

Optional features set out above may apply to any aspect of the invention. Thus, for example, the preferred length of the catheter and assembly is only described once above, but applies to all aspects and combinations of aspects and other optional features.

The external housing <NUM> comprises a main body <NUM> in which at least a portion of the storage chamber <NUM> and catheter <NUM> are housed, and a cap <NUM> which is detachable so as to be removed by a user prior to use. Removal of the cap <NUM> exposes the catheter <NUM> for withdrawal from the external housing <NUM> for use.

The main body <NUM> may further comprise a catheter tube section <NUM> and a storage chamber section <NUM>. The catheter tube section <NUM> houses the catheter tube <NUM> of the catheter <NUM>. The storage chamber section <NUM> houses the storage chamber <NUM>. The catheter tube section <NUM> and storage chamber section <NUM> may comprise separate components which are attached together to provide the main body portion <NUM>, or may be provided by parts of a unitary structure. It will be appreciated that portions of the storage chamber section <NUM> may house portions of the catheter tube <NUM> and catheter tube section <NUM> may house portions of the storage chamber <NUM>. Typically, the catheter tube section <NUM> will provide the terminal proximal end of the housing <NUM>.

The external housing <NUM> provides an enclosed volume in which the catheter <NUM> can be housed for storage and transportation prior to use. The main body <NUM> and cap <NUM> may provide a sterile cavity in which the catheter <NUM> is located. The external housing <NUM> is generally elongate having a longitudinal axis <NUM> which can be taken to be the principal axis of the catheter assembly <NUM> which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the storage chamber <NUM> and catheter <NUM>.

The enclosed volume provided by the external housing <NUM> is defined by an external wall of the housing <NUM> which extends from a first proximal end <NUM>, which receives an insertion end <NUM> of the catheter <NUM>, to a second distal end <NUM> in which a catheter outlet end <NUM> is received. In the embodiment shown, the second end <NUM> is provided by the cap <NUM>. Thus, the removal of the cap <NUM> exposes the outlet end <NUM> of the catheter <NUM> such that a user can grip and remove the catheter <NUM> from the housing <NUM> for use.

The external profile of the housing <NUM> can be any required for aesthetic or functional purposes and may incorporate similar external features to the external housing <NUM> described above. Hence, the external housing <NUM> may be generally cylindrical, tapering towards the first end to aid insertion into a storage receptacle or pocket, for example, and tapering towards the second end along the length of the cap <NUM>. Additionally, the cap <NUM> may be temporarily stored on the opposing end of the external housing <NUM>.

A hermetic seal may be provided between the cap <NUM> and main body <NUM> to preserve the sterility of the internal volume of the external housing <NUM>, prior to use. The hermetic seal may comprise a sealing element, such as an O-ring seal 297b provided between the main body <NUM> and cap <NUM> as best seen in <FIG>, in which case the O-ring seal sits on a circumferential sealing surface on the outside of the main body <NUM>, which, when the cap <NUM> is sealed faces a corresponding circumferential sealing surface on the inside of the cap.

In an alternative, a hermetic seal may be provided by a tamper proof connection or strip between the main body <NUM> and cap <NUM>. An example of a hermetic seal 297a formed as a tamper proof strip is provided in <FIG>. The seal 297a comprises a portion of the external surface of the external housing <NUM>. As such, the external housing <NUM> may comprise a main body <NUM>, a cap <NUM> and a hermetic seal 297a. The hermetic seal 297a/b may be configured such that rotating cap <NUM> breaks the seal 297a. Breaking the seal 297a/b may be done during a priming step which puts the catheter assembly into a primed configuration.

The storage chamber <NUM> provides a reservoir for the storage of a wetting agent prior to the wetting of the catheter tube <NUM>. The storage chamber <NUM> is provided at a distal end of the catheter tube <NUM> such that the catheter tube <NUM> may be drawn through wetting agent retained within the storage chamber <NUM> when the catheter is being withdrawn from the housing <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, upon opening the storage chamber <NUM>, the wetting agent may flow down the exterior surface of catheter tube <NUM> (which as in the previous embodiment may be functionalised so as to be hydrophilic) towards the closed end of the main body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> the storage chamber <NUM> surrounds the catheter <NUM> and comprises a chamber wall <NUM>, <NUM> which seals against seal surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> provided on the catheter <NUM> and provides an annular enclosed volume in which the wetting agent is stored prior to use. The storage chamber wall <NUM>, <NUM> is sealed against the catheter <NUM> using first and second seals <NUM>, <NUM> which are axially separated and may be provided at the distal and proximal ends of the storage chamber <NUM>. As the catheter <NUM> seals the storage chamber <NUM>, it may be considered to form part of the storage chamber <NUM>.

The catheter <NUM> therefore comprises, a movable insert such that it can be moved relative to the storage chamber wall <NUM>. The catheter <NUM> may be configured such that it is axially movable when rotated. The rotation of the catheter <NUM> may be achieved by via rotating the cap <NUM>. As such, the cap <NUM> and catheter <NUM> may be rotatably engaged.

The chamber wall <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise multiple components which are joined together to provide a sealed external wall to provide the enclosed volume which is sealed against the catheter <NUM>.

The storage chamber section <NUM> may be configured to prevent relative rotation of the storage chamber <NUM>. Thus, when the catheter <NUM> is urged to rotate within the storage chamber <NUM>, the storage chamber section <NUM> prevents the storage chamber <NUM> from rotating about the longitudinal axis <NUM>. As such, the catheter <NUM> which passes through the storage chamber <NUM> can be rotated relative to the housing <NUM> and storage chamber <NUM> during a release and/or wetting procedure.

The storage chamber section <NUM> may also be configured to prevent axial movement of the storage chamber <NUM> during a release and/or wetting procedure. The axial retention of the storage chamber <NUM> may be limited to be below a predetermined threshold such that when an axial pulling force above the predetermined threshold is achieved, the storage chamber <NUM> is released from the housing <NUM> and able to move axially.

As can be seen from <FIG>, the storage chamber <NUM> may be an elongate structure which extends coaxially along the longitudinal axis <NUM> to define an annular cavity in which the wetting agent may be stored. The annular cavity is defined by a radially outer wall with axially facing end walls which extend between the radially outer wall and catheter <NUM>. The end walls may extend from the ends of the radially outer wall in the normal plane of the longitudinal axis <NUM>, but this is not a limitation and other configurations are envisaged. The end walls may comprise or terminate at the radially inner edge in axially extending annular flanges at either or both ends of the storage chamber. An embodiment of these is described in further detail below.

As noted above, the movable insert is configured to move axially along the longitudinal axis <NUM> with respect to the chamber wall <NUM>. The movement of the catheter <NUM> may transition the catheter <NUM> between a first position and a second position. In the first position the storage chamber <NUM> is sealed by the seal element 233a located between the chamber wall <NUM> and the catheter <NUM>. The seal element 233a is aligned with sealing surfaces 233b in the first position. In the second position the sealing element 233a is configured to be axially misaligned with at the sealing surface 233b. In this way, the seal <NUM> can be opened in the second position, or as described below, the compression of the seal element 233a can be reduced such that the storage chamber <NUM> remains sealed, but the catheter <NUM> may be withdrawn more readily to effect the wetting of the catheter tube <NUM>. Although the seal element 233a and sealing surface 233b are shown as being placed on the chamber wall <NUM> and catheter body <NUM> respectively, this may not be the case and they may by the other way round.

The first and second seals <NUM> and <NUM> are axially separated and seal against a portion of the catheter <NUM>. At least one of the movable insert, e.g. the a portion of the catheter <NUM>, and the chamber wall <NUM> may comprise a divergent portion over which the seal element 233a passes when transitioning between the first sealed position and second primed position. The divergent portion is such that the distance between the chamber wall <NUM> and movable insert at the axial location of the seal element 233a is increased when in the second primed position. The distance may be a radial distance with respect to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. The divergent portion may comprise a widening of a cavity adjacent to the seal surface 233a. The divergence may be provided by a step or taper adjacent to the sealing surface.

<FIG> show a side view of the catheter <NUM> with the first <NUM> and second <NUM> seals shown in section. <FIG> shows the position of the catheter <NUM> in a sealed/storage configuration, <FIG> shows the catheter <NUM> in a primed configuration. The primed configuration is one in which the catheter <NUM> is configured to be removed from the external housing during a second stage of the catheter <NUM> deployment, (the first stage being the priming).

With reference to <FIG>, the first <NUM> and second <NUM> seals may be provided by respective seal elements 233a and 237a which are located against an opposing seal surface 233b and 237b on the catheter <NUM>. The sealing surfaces 233b and 237b may be considered to be primary sealing surfaces.

In the described embodiment, the seal surfaces 233b and 237b are provided by a catheter body <NUM>. The body <NUM> thus constitutes the moveable insert and is provided between the outlet end <NUM> of the catheter <NUM> and the catheter tube <NUM>. As shown, the catheter body <NUM> may have an increased radius compared to the catheter tube <NUM> and is profiled to provide the seal surfaces 233b and 237b.

The catheter body <NUM> may extend to the distal end of the catheter <NUM> and be an extension thereof. The distal end of the catheter body <NUM> may provide the outlet of the catheter <NUM> which may be shaped externally and internally to provide the external handling surfaces and internal flow enhancing features. Hence, the exterior of the catheter body <NUM> may include an external handling surface which includes a plurality of grooves which aid the handling of the catheter by a user's finger tips. The internal surface may also include a funnel which diverges in a flow direction.

The first seal surface 233b is provided at a proximal end of the catheter body <NUM> and storage chamber <NUM> and provide a raised portion against which the seal element 233a resides when in a sealed configuration. The raised portion includes a first diameter D233 which is greater than a diameter d233 on an adjacent portion of the catheter body <NUM> on proximal side and, optionally, distal side. As such, the sealing surface 233b is separated by a step or chamber in the profile of the catheter body <NUM>.

In the example shown, the seal surface 233b and adjacent portion are shown as being cylindrical. Hence, the seal surface 233b comprises a cylindrical surface having a first radius with the adjacent proximal surface being provided by a second radius which is smaller than the first radius. Thus, as shown by <FIG>, relative axial movement between the catheter <NUM> and the seal element 233a which is retained by the storage chamber <NUM> moves off the seal surface 233b over the proximally adjacent surface defined by diameter d233, there is either: a separation between the seal element 233a and adjacent surface or a reduced contact which allows the storage chamber to be sealed but the catheter more readily withdrawn. As shown in <FIG>, the seal contact is maintained with the compressive force, and thus axial retention, on the catheter body <NUM> and catheter <NUM> being reduced. In this regard, the proximal shaft of the catheter body <NUM> may provide a secondary proximal seal surface 233c. Hence, in the sealed configuration the seal <NUM> may act to provide an increased sealing pressure which can help reduce the evaporation loss from the storage chamber <NUM>.

The distal seal <NUM> comprises a distal seal element 237a which is sealably located against a seal surface 237b provided by the catheter body <NUM>. In contrast to the proximal seal <NUM>, the distal seal surface 237b is provided by a constant cross-section such that a constant seal <NUM> is maintained when there is relative axial movement between the catheter <NUM> and storage chamber <NUM>.

As shown, the distal seal surface 237b may be defined by radial upstands which locate the seal element 237a with a defined axial range of the catheter body <NUM>. The radial upstands may be provided as part of a groove within a surface of the catheter body <NUM>, one or more flanges, or an increase in the diameter of the catheter body <NUM>. <FIG> show a distal sealing surface 237b having a combination of a radial flange being provided on the righthand, proximal, side, an increase in diameter being provided on the left hand, distal, side, with the seat of the seal surface 237b being provided as a groove in the surface of the catheter body <NUM> shaft which extends between the first <NUM> and second seals <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, when the catheter <NUM> is moved distally so as to be withdrawn from the housing <NUM> (as indicated by the arrow in the centre of the catheter body <NUM>), the distal seal element 237a is retained by the radial upstand so as to be retained around the catheter body <NUM>. The proximal seal element 233a is retained by the storage chamber <NUM> as the catheter is withdrawn.

It will be appreciated that the storage chamber <NUM> may comprise features to retain the seal elements 233a and 237a in place and urge the seal elements 233a and 237a radially inwards to provide the seal. For example, the seals 237a and 233a may be retained by a seal housing and may be overmoulded. A specific embodiment pertaining the retention of seal element 233a is provided below in connection with <FIG>.

The seal elements 233a and 237a may be different sizes. More specifically, the proximal seal <NUM> may comprise a larger seal element 233a to allow for the increased compression and increased contact area with the sealing surface 233b when in the first sealed configuration.

The seal elements 233a and/or 237a may comprise an elastomeric material. The seal elements 233a and 237b may be O-rings, alternatively they could be X-rings or U-cups, or other similar annular seal.

The catheter <NUM> is configured to move axially relative to the external housing <NUM> and storage chamber <NUM>. This not only allows the catheter <NUM> to be withdrawn from the external housing <NUM> for use, but also allows the catheter tube <NUM> to pass through the wetting agent housed in the storage chamber <NUM>. Thus, the catheter <NUM> has a sealed (or storage) configuration and a primed configuration from which the catheter <NUM> is withdrawn and wetted. The sealed configuration of the catheter assembly <NUM> and catheter <NUM> is shown in <FIG> and <FIG> respectively. As described above, the primed configuration prior to the withdrawal of the catheter <NUM> is shown in <FIG>.

The movement of the catheter <NUM> from the sealed configuration to the primed configuration may be achieved by a user axially withdrawing the catheter <NUM> in the distal direction. The withdrawal may be achieved by the user gripping the outlet end <NUM> of the catheter either directly, or indirectly, for example, via the cap <NUM>.

The axial withdrawal may be achieved using an actuator. The actuator may be referred to as a priming mechanism. The priming mechanism comprise any device which can cause the required axial movement of the catheter <NUM> in relation to the external housing <NUM> and storage chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, the priming mechanism may comprise the catheter which is configured to be rotatable such that the rotating induces the axial movement. The priming mechanism may comprise a cam drive or crank in which a drive surface engages with a drive element such that relative rotation of the driving element or drive surface results in the axial motion of the catheter <NUM> relative to the main body <NUM>. The rotational movement may be provided by a rotatable actuator such as the cap <NUM> which may be rotationally engaged with the catheter <NUM> as the movable insert.

<FIG> shows an embodiment in which the catheter body <NUM> is provided with a cam drive <NUM>. The cam drive comprises a drive surface in the form of a ramp formation provided by an axially facing end wall surface of the storage chamber wall <NUM>, and a driving element comprising circumferentially extending fins <NUM> which extend axially and circumferentially so as to provide a helical projection which is functions as a screw thread/cam. The fins <NUM> engage with the corresponding ramp formations <NUM> provided on the storage chamber <NUM> such that rotating the catheter <NUM> causes the fins <NUM> to travel along the ramp formations <NUM> and urge the catheter <NUM> distally relative to the storage chamber <NUM>.

Urging the catheter <NUM> distally results in an axial sliding of the catheter <NUM> relative to the storage chamber seals <NUM> and <NUM> and the movement of the proximal seal element 233a and the associated seal surface 233b, as described above in relation to <FIG>.

The rotation of the catheter <NUM> may be achieved by the user gripping and rotating the external handling surface of the catheter outlet end <NUM>, or via a rotation of the cap <NUM>. Rotating the cap <NUM> may be achieved by providing a rotational engagement between the cap <NUM> and the catheter body <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, the rotational engagement may be provided via corresponding radial projections 286a and 286b on the catheter body <NUM> and the interior of the cap <NUM>. The projections may take any suitable form and may comprise radially extending members in the form of ribs, flanges, projections, pins, pedestals etc. as noted above, the projections may serve a dual purpose, also assisting in retaining the cap <NUM> on the base of the main body <NUM> during catheterisation.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the cap <NUM> is also shown as comprising screw threads 288a which engage with corresponding screw threads 288b provided on the exterior of the distal end of the main body <NUM> such that the cap <NUM> can be releasably attached to the main body <NUM>.

As the catheter <NUM> rotationally engages with the cap <NUM>, rotating the cap <NUM> for removal from the main body <NUM> via screw threads 288a and 288b, results in the catheter <NUM> rotating and being withdrawn from the storage chamber <NUM> via the cam drive <NUM>. Thus, rotation of the cap <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM> results in a rotation of the catheter <NUM>. It will be appreciated from this, that the pitch of the cam-drive ribs/ramp formations will be the same as the pitch of the screw threads 288a,b.

Once the rotation of the cap <NUM> is complete such that the screw threads 288a,b are disengaged, the cap <NUM> can be removed axially off the main body <NUM> with the projections 286a and 286b becoming axially separated. Once the rotation of the catheter <NUM> is complete, the fins <NUM> travel circumferentially over the end of the ramp formations and no further axial movement occurs.

Although the priming mechanism shown in <FIG> comprises a plurality of helical fins <NUM>, e.g. two, which engage with a corresponding number of ramp formations <NUM> on the storage chamber <NUM>, it will be appreciated that the number of the drive surface/driving elements may be varied. Further, the helical surfaces which provide cam-like action may be provided by any suitable formations and the embodiments of fins and ramp formations are only provided as examples. For example, both storage chamber <NUM> and catheter <NUM> could be provided with ramp formations and/or fins, or some combination thereof. Other cam-like arrangements which translate rotational movement into linear axial movement may be provided, such as screw threads similar to those provided for the engagement of the cap <NUM> and main body <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG> show an embodiment of how the storage chamber <NUM> may be constructed in more detail. Thus, there is shown a storage chamber <NUM> provided by multi-part construction in which a first part <NUM> and a second part <NUM> are joined together to provide the storage chamber wall. <FIG> shows the two-part construction in which the first distal part <NUM> is fitted to a second proximal part <NUM>. The proximal part <NUM> comprises a radially extending wall which provides the terminal axial end wall of the storage chamber compartment in which the majority of the wetting agent is located. The distal part <NUM> comprises a distal end wall of the storage chamber compartment and the radially outer wall.

The internal surface of the storage chamber wall comprises a plurality of radial projections in the form of fins <NUM>. The fins <NUM> are circumferentially distributed so as to be angularly separated from one another about the longitudinal axis <NUM>. The fins <NUM> extend axially and radially so as to lie in a plane defined by the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the catheter assembly. The fins <NUM> may be provided in diametrically opposed pairs.

As can be seen, the radially inner edges <NUM> of the fins <NUM> may be provided at a common radial distance from the central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the catheter <NUM> such that, in combination, the radial inner edges <NUM> of the fins <NUM> provide a guide tube to keep the catheter <NUM> and storage chamber <NUM> concentrically aligned. The radius of the guide tube may correspond to or be larger than the proximal sealing surface 233b such that the sealing surface 233b can pass unhindered therethrough whilst maintaining concentricity.

The proximal axial edges <NUM> of the fins <NUM> which define the axial extent of the fins <NUM> terminates short of the proximal end wall of the storage chamber <NUM> so as to provide edges <NUM> which define a void in which the proximal seal element 233a is provided. Thus, the proximal axial edges <NUM> of the fins <NUM> provide, in combination, a seat against which the seal element 233a can be located during assembly of the storage chamber <NUM> and also during use such that the proximal seal is axially restrained during the transition of the catheter <NUM> from the stowed position to the wetting position and during the withdrawal of the catheter <NUM>.

Although <FIG> shows only four fins <NUM> in the sectional view, it will be appreciated that a fewer or greater number of fins <NUM> may be used. It will also be appreciated that although fins <NUM> provide a convenient structure between which the wetting agent can be stored whilst providing suitable strength and surface area for guiding the catheter and/or providing a seal seat, other formations may be used. For example, the formations may be provided by any combination of projections such as ribs, pins, pedestals or flanges for example.

As noted above, the distal end of the storage chamber <NUM> may be provided with one or more features which are used as part of a priming mechanism <NUM>. Thus, as can be seen, the distal end of the storage chamber <NUM> in Figures 16a and 16b comprises the ramp formations <NUM> which engage with the helical fins <NUM> provided on the catheter body <NUM>.

The ramp formations <NUM> are provided at the terminal end of an annular flange <NUM> which extends from the main storage compartment. In the embodiment shown, the ramp formations <NUM> are provided by triangular cut-outs in the annular flange <NUM>, with the hypotenuse of the triangle providing the engaging surface. The use of the annular flange <NUM> allows the ramp formations to be located in a close radial proximity to the catheter <NUM> which allows the corresponding fins <NUM> to be smaller. The annular flange <NUM> also provides a convenient location for the distal seal <NUM> which resides between the ramp formations <NUM> and distal radial wall of the main storage compartment of the storage chamber <NUM>.

The attachment of the first <NUM> and second <NUM> parts of the storage chamber <NUM> can be via any suitable connection such as: an interference fit, e.g. a push-fit or click-fit; by adhesion; welding; screw thread or clamp, for example. The embodiment of Figures <NUM>, 16a and 16b is shown as being a click-fit attachment in which the parts <NUM>, <NUM> are pushed and clicked together such that a circumferential rib is located within a corresponding groove.

The external surface of the proximal part <NUM> is configured to provide an insertion guide <NUM>. Hence, the external surface may be rounded and/or tapered such that it can be utilised to comfortably locate the insertion guide <NUM> in the entrance to the urethra.

In more detail, in some embodiments, the insertion guide <NUM> (which may be referred to as a gripper) may be an annular member located radially outwardly of the catheter tube <NUM> or catheter body <NUM> when stowed. The radially outer surface of the insertion guide <NUM> may be configured to be gripped by a user's fingers and may include one or more surface features, such as annular grooves (not shown) for improving grip and user dexterity.

The insertion guide <NUM> is configured to remain external to the urethra when the catheter tube <NUM> is inserted and so is retractable. Hence, the catheter tube <NUM> can pass through the insertion guide <NUM> such that the insertion guide <NUM> moves rearwards to towards the outlet end <NUM> during insertion. When fully retracted, the insertion guide <NUM> may abut the distal end of the catheter body <NUM>.

Thus, where the storage chamber comprises an insertion guide <NUM>, the storage chamber <NUM> complete with insertion guide <NUM> may be released from the external housing when the catheter <NUM> is withdrawn.

The general procedure relating to the insertion of the catheter <NUM> and insertion guide <NUM> is described previously and not repeated here.

To enable the insertion guide <NUM> to be correctly placed at the insertion end <NUM> of the catheter ready for use (as shown in <FIG>), the storage chamber <NUM> may be retained within the external housing <NUM> whilst the catheter <NUM> is removed and the proximal end of the catheter tube <NUM> is aligned with the insertion guide <NUM>. In order to conveniently withdraw the insertion guide <NUM> from the housing <NUM> with the catheter <NUM>, the catheter arrangement <NUM> may comprise an optional retractable sheath <NUM> located radially outside of the catheter tube <NUM>. Alternatively, the insertion guide could simply be pulled out by hand.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a retractable sheath <NUM> in a stowed configuration. The sheath <NUM> extends from an attachment 234a on the catheter body <NUM> to an attachment 234b on the distal side of the storage chamber <NUM>. The sheath <NUM> is flexible and retractable with the insertion guide <NUM>. Hence, when the catheter <NUM> and insertion guide <NUM> are located within the housing <NUM>, the sheath <NUM> is provided in a stowed configuration which is depicted in <FIG>, and when the catheter <NUM> is withdrawn, the sheath unfurls from the stowed configuration to a deployed configuration in which it is fully extended and acts to tether the storage chamber to the catheter such that a continued withdrawal of the sheath <NUM> results in the withdrawal of the storage chamber and insertion guide <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that, in embodiments where an insertion guide <NUM> is not provided, the storage chamber <NUM> may not comprise the proximal annular flange which forms part of the proximal part <NUM>, and may not be retained within the housing <NUM> when the catheter <NUM> is removed. In such a case, the sheath <NUM> may also be omitted.

To enable its removal, the storage chamber <NUM> may be retained within the external housing <NUM> by a releasable coupling <NUM>, (as best seen in <FIG> and described below). The releasable coupling <NUM> may release the storage chamber <NUM> when a predetermined amount of axial tension, i.e. a withdrawing pulling force on the storage chamber is applied or exceeded. Once the predetermined amount of axial tension has been applied or exceeded, the storage chamber may be released by the releasable coupling and withdrawn from the external housing.

The axial tension may be applied to the storage chamber <NUM> directly or indirectly. Thus, in some embodiments, a user may grip the storage chamber <NUM> or a portion thereof and withdraw it, together with the catheter <NUM>. In some embodiments, the storage chamber <NUM> and catheter <NUM> may be coupled together such that withdrawing of the catheter <NUM> causes the storage chamber <NUM> to be withdrawn from the external housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, the coupling between the storage chamber and catheter may be provided by a tether such as the retractable sheath <NUM>.

To prevent the rotation of the storage chamber <NUM> with the catheter <NUM> during the transition between the sealed configuration and the primed configuration, the storage chamber <NUM> may be rotationally fixed to the main body <NUM>. An embodiment of a coupling <NUM> configured prevent relative rotation is described in connection with <FIG>, which shows the exterior of the storage chamber <NUM>; <FIG>, which shows the storage chamber section <NUM> without the storage chamber <NUM> housed therein; and <FIG> which shows the storage chamber <NUM> and storage chamber section <NUM> combined. As described below, the coupling <NUM> may be configured to be a releasable coupling, such that the coupling <NUM> is released once a predetermined force threshold is exceeded in the axial direction.

The exterior of the storage chamber <NUM> may be provided by an external surface <NUM> which, in the described embodiment, is generally cylindrical. The external surface <NUM> may comprise one or more anti-rotation and/or axial retention features such as a one or more recesses. A plurality of circumferential recesses may be provided such those provided by the castellated annular groove <NUM>.

The storage chamber section <NUM> may comprise an elongate tubular member which extends from proximal end to a distal end. The external surface of the storage member section <NUM> may provide a portion of the external surface of the external housing <NUM> and/or one or more features for attaching the cap <NUM> to the main body <NUM> such as the aforementioned screw threads 288b, and/or one or more features <NUM> for receiving a hermetic seal 297a shown in <FIG> which may be provided between the corresponding terminal ends of the cap <NUM> and main body <NUM> and which is irreversibly removed or broken as the cap <NUM> is removed, as well known in the art.

The interior of the storage chamber section <NUM> comprises a cylindrical cavity 219a in which the storage chamber <NUM> is received and may include one or more features of the coupling <NUM> for engaging the storage chamber <NUM> to prevent axial and/or radial movement of the storage chamber <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>.

The coupling <NUM> part provided by the storage chamber section <NUM> comprises a plurality of circumferentially distributed prongs <NUM> which are substantially rotationally rigid to the extent where they act in combination to prevent rotation of the storage chamber when engaged in annular castellated groove <NUM>, and radially compliant such that, when the storage chamber <NUM> and chamber storage section <NUM> are urged axially apart, the prongs <NUM> flex outwardly thereby releasing the storage chamber <NUM>. When under the predetermined axial force threshold, the prongs <NUM> remain engaged with the castellated groove <NUM> on the external surface <NUM> of the storage chamber wall.

The number of prongs in <FIG> is eight. However, the number may be greater or fewer than this in some embodiments.

The castellated groove <NUM> comprises an annular groove which extends around the external surface <NUM> of the storage chamber <NUM> and is partitioned so as to provide and a circular array of recesses in which the tips of the prongs <NUM> can be received. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the recesses may be fewer in number and more dispersed than shown.

The prongs <NUM> comprise projections having a limb 298a and a tip portion 298b. The limb 298a extends axially towards the proximal end of the main body <NUM> from a radially extending internal surface of the storage chamber section <NUM>. The limbs 298a extend from a distal fixed end to a proximal free end. The free end includes the tip portion 298b which extends radially inwards to provide hooks which are received in the recesses of the storage chamber external surface <NUM> so as to provide a clasp. The radially inner surface of the storage chamber section which receives the storage chamber <NUM> is flush with the internal surface of the cylindrical housing in which the storage chamber is received.

When viewed along the longitudinal axis in the distal direction, the radially inner edge of the proximal end of the prong tip portions 298b are tapered such that prongs <NUM> can more readily receive and be urged apart by the storage chamber <NUM> when the storage chamber <NUM> is inserted into the storage chamber section <NUM> along the longitudinal axis.

As noted, the releasably coupling requires an increased axial force to activate. The increase in force ensures that the catheter tube is fully withdrawn such that the storage chamber <NUM>/insertion guide <NUM> is in the correct location relative to the insertion end and that the retractable sheath is fully extended. It may also provide mechanical feedback to the user to indicate that the catheter has been withdrawn to its full extent and can be reinserted if required.

In some embodiments, when the storage chamber <NUM> is left within the housing <NUM> following the withdrawal of the catheter <NUM>, the storage chamber <NUM> may be attached to or form part of the housing <NUM> and the coupling <NUM> may not be required.

In use, and with reference to the catheter assembly shown in <FIG>, a user may rotate the cap <NUM> to break the hermetic seal 297a/297b. The rotation of the cap <NUM> results in the rotation of the catheter <NUM> via the rotational engagement provided by radially projections 286a and 286b. The rotation of the catheter <NUM> results in the drive surface and driving elements provided by cam drive <NUM> urging the storage chamber <NUM> and catheter <NUM> axially apart and an axial sliding of the proximal seal element 233a to provide the catheter assembly in a primed configuration. This requires a first step in which a single action from a user, i.e. the rotation of the cap <NUM> in a first direction transitions the catheter assembly from a sealed configuration to a primed configuration.

Following the separation of the seal <NUM>, the catheter <NUM> may be axially withdrawn through the storage chamber <NUM> which functionally acts as a wetting chamber during the withdrawal. If required, the catheter may be reinserted into the storage chamber <NUM> and withdrawn multiple times to ensure a complete wetting of the catheter tube <NUM> prior to removal.

Where the catheter <NUM> incorporates an insertion guide <NUM>, the insertion guide <NUM> may form part of the storage chamber <NUM> and may be removed from the housing <NUM> with the catheter <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments in which the catheter includes a movable insert which is rotated to axially release, either partially or fully, a seal of the storage chamber is advantageous as the mechanical advantage of using a priming mechanism allows the seal to be tighter. Without the mechanical advantage of the priming mechanism, the tighter more effect seal would be difficult to displace by hand, particularly for weaker or more infirm users.

The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A catheter assembly (<NUM>) comprising
a catheter (<NUM>); and
a wetting agent storage chamber (<NUM>) in which the catheter (<NUM>) is located,
wherein the wetting agent storage chamber (<NUM>) comprises at least one projection (<NUM>) configured to guide the catheter (<NUM>) within the wetting agent storage chamber (<NUM>), wherein the at least one projection (<NUM>) retains a seal element (233a) in the wetting agent storage chamber (<NUM>) during withdrawal of the catheter (<NUM>) wherein the wetting agent storage chamber (<NUM>) comprises at least one radially extending end wall (<NUM>) and the at least one projection (<NUM>) extends axially within the wetting agent storage chamber (<NUM>), the at least one projection (<NUM>) terminating short of the end wall (<NUM>) to define a void, wherein the seal element (233a) is seated in the void.