Patent Description:
Users of urinary catheters such as intermittent catheters self-catheterize four to six times a day. As such, a simple-to-use intermittent catheter that ensures sterility before use and facilitate cleanliness after use is needed. <CIT> discloses a urinary catheter assembly.

Disclosed herein are intermittent-catheter assemblies and methods thereof that address the foregoing.

According to a first aspect, there is provided an intermittent-catheter assembly according to claim <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the cap is configured to pivot to one side or another side of the intermittent-catheter assembly for removal of the intermittent catheter from the catheter housing.

In some embodiments, the funnel opening opens in a side of the funnel.

In some embodiments, the cap includes an annular seal around a perimeter of the cap.

In some embodiments, the seal is an 'O'-ring disposed in an annular groove around the perimeter of the cap.

In some embodiments, the intermittent-catheter assembly further includes a lubricant disposed in the inner sleeve between the inner sleeve and the catheter tube in the storage state of the intermittent-catheter assembly.

In some embodiments, the catheter housing is configured to collapse when a distal end of the inner sleeve is held against a surface and the outer sleeve is moved toward the surface. When collapsed, the catheter housing exposes the funnel of the intermittent catheter for removal of the intermittent catheter from the catheter housing.

In some embodiments, the funnel includes a plurality of ridges integrated into an outer surface of the funnel. The ridges are configured for gripping the funnel as a handle while removing the intermittent catheter from the catheter housing or voiding urine.

In some embodiments, the catheter tube includes a plurality of eyelets proximate a catheter tip. The eyelets are in fluid communication with the funnel opening.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of an intermittent-catheter assembly according to claim <NUM>. The method includes, in some embodiments, an assembly-obtaining step, an assembly-transitioning step, and a first catheter-removing step. The assembly-obtaining step includes obtaining the intermittent-catheter assembly in a storage state thereof. The intermittent-catheter assembly includes an intermittent catheter disposed in a catheter housing. The assembly-transitioning step includes transitioning the intermittent-catheter assembly into an opened state thereof. The assembly-transitioning step includes, in turn, a sleeve-grasping step, an assembly-holding step, and a sleeve-moving step. The sleeve-grasping step includes grasping an outer sleeve of the catheter housing. The assembly-holding step includes holding a distal end of the intermittent-catheter assembly against a surface by the outer sleeve. The sleeve-moving step includes moving the outer sleeve toward the surface to expose a funnel of the intermittent catheter. The first catheter-removing step includes removing the intermittent catheter from the catheter housing by a funnel of the intermittent catheter.

In some embodiments, the sleeve-moving step slides the outer sleeve over an inner sleeve of the catheter housing. The outer sleeve is mounted over the inner sleeve.

In some embodiments, the method further includes an uncapping step. The uncapping step includes uncapping a cap capping a funnel opening in a proximal end of the funnel. The cap is coupled to the funnel by a living hinge.

In some embodiments, the sleeve-moving step includes exposing a funnel opening in a side of the funnel.

In some embodiments, the method further includes an alternative uncapping step. The alternative uncapping step includes uncapping a cap capping a funnel opening in a proximal end of the funnel by pivoting the cap to one side or another side of the intermittent-catheter assembly. The cap is coupled to the inner sleeve by a pair of extension arms extending from the cap.

In some embodiments, the sleeve-moving step collapses a collapsible outer cover of the catheter housing. The outer sleeve is coupled to the outer cover.

In some embodiments, the method further includes another alternative uncapping step. The other alternative uncapping step includes uncapping a cap capping a funnel opening in a proximal end of the funnel. The cap is coupled to the funnel by a living hinge.

In some embodiments, the method further includes a first catheter-inserting step and a urine-voiding step. The first catheter-inserting step includes inserting a catheter tube of the intermittent catheter into a urethra. The urine-voiding step includes voiding urine from a bladder.

In some embodiments, the method further includes a second catheter-removing step and a second catheter-inserting step. The second catheter-removing step includes removing the catheter tube from the urethra after the urine-voiding step. The second catheter-inserting step includes inserting the intermittent catheter into the catheter housing. Optionally, the second catheter-inserting step is performed concomitantly with a capping step of capping the proximal opening of the funnel. The second catheter-inserting step with the optional capping step seals the intermittent catheter in the catheter housing and prevents residual urine leakage from the intermittent-catheter assembly in the storage state of the intermittent-catheter assembly.

With respect to "proximal," a "proximal portion" or a "proximal-end portion" of, for example, a catheter disclosed herein includes a portion of the catheter intended to be near a clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. Likewise, a "proximal length" of, for example, the catheter includes a length of the catheter intended to be near the clinician when the catheter is used on the patient. A "proximal end" of, for example, the catheter includes an end of the catheter intended to be near the clinician when the catheter is used on the patient. The proximal portion, the proximal-end portion, or the proximal length of the catheter can include the proximal end of the catheter; however, the proximal portion, the proximal-end portion, or the proximal length of the catheter need not include the proximal end of the catheter. That is, unless context suggests otherwise, the proximal portion, the proximal-end portion, or the proximal length of the catheter is not a terminal portion or terminal length of the catheter.

With respect to "distal," a "distal portion" or a "distal-end portion" of, for example, a catheter disclosed herein includes a portion of the catheter intended to be near or in a patient when the catheter is used on the patient. Likewise, a "distal length" of, for example, the catheter includes a length of the catheter intended to be near or in the patient when the catheter is used on the patient. A "distal end" of, for example, the catheter includes an end of the catheter intended to be near or in the patient when the catheter is used on the patient. The distal portion, the distal-end portion, or the distal length of the catheter can include the distal end of the catheter; however, the distal portion, the distal-end portion, or the distal length of the catheter need not include the distal end of the catheter. That is, unless context suggests otherwise, the distal portion, the distal-end portion, or the distal length of the catheter is not a terminal portion or terminal length of the catheter.

As set forth above, users of urinary catheters such as intermittent catheters self-catheterize four to six times a day. As such, a simple-to-use intermittent catheter that ensures sterility before use and facilitate cleanliness after use is needed.

<FIG> illustrate a first intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <FIG> illustrate a second intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <FIG> illustrate a third intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, and <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> illustrate a fourth intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>. Each intermittent-catheter assembly of the intermittent-catheter assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is described, in turn, below.

As shown, the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> includes a collapsible catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> and an intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> having a storage state, an opened, and a disassembled state.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> respectively show the intermittent-catheter assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in their storage states, respectively. In the storage state of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> is fully disposed in the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> and sealed therein. For example, as shown in <FIG>, an entirety of the funnel <NUM> of the intermittent catheter <NUM> is disposed in the outer sleeve <NUM> of the catheter housing <NUM> and a majority of the catheter tube <NUM> is disposed in the outer cover <NUM> of the catheter housing <NUM> in the storage state of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>. Sealing the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> in the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> is advantageous for maintaining sterility of the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> prior to use. Sealing the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> in the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> is also advantageous for retaining any residual urine present in the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> after its use until the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> can be properly disposed.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> respectively show the intermittent-catheter assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in their opened states, respectively. In the opened state, the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> is collapsed exposing the funnel <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> for removal of the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> from the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. Notably, the opened state of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> includes that between the storage and disassembled states of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM> in its disassembled state. Indeed, the intermittent catheter <NUM> is fully separated from the catheter housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate the catheter housing <NUM> of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <FIG> illustrate the catheter housing <NUM> of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrate the catheter housing <NUM> of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>.

While each catheter housing of the catheter housings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> features unique features as set forth below, each catheter housing of the foregoing catheter housings includes an inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> and an outer sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> slidably mounted over the inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. Indeed, with such a configuration, the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> is configured to collapse when a distal end of the inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> is held against a surface S (e.g., a surface in an immediate environment such as a surface of a toilet or sink in a bathroom, a knee or thigh of a user, etc.) and the outer sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> is moved toward the surface S. (See <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. ) When collapsed, the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> exposes the funnel <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> for removal of the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> from the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the catheter housing <NUM> including the inner sleeve <NUM> thereof is configured to seal around the cap <NUM> coupled to the funnel <NUM> of the intermittent catheter <NUM>. Indeed, as set forth below, the cap <NUM> includes the one-or-more ridges <NUM> (e.g., one or more annular seals) for the inner sleeve <NUM> to seal around.

As shown in <FIG>, the catheter housing <NUM> including the inner sleeve <NUM> thereof is configured with a cap <NUM> to seal the intermittent catheter <NUM> in the catheter housing <NUM>. Indeed, the cap <NUM> includes an annular seal <NUM> around a perimeter of the cap <NUM> (e.g., an 'O'-ring disposed in an annular groove around the perimeter of the cap <NUM>) to seal the intermittent catheter <NUM> in the catheter housing <NUM>. The cap <NUM> is coupled to the inner sleeve <NUM> by way of a pair of extension arms <NUM> extending from the cap <NUM>. While not shown, the extension arms <NUM> can include a corresponding pair of inwardly protruding posts about end portions of the extension arms <NUM>. The pair of posts can be disposed in a pair of outwardly opening sockets in the inner sleeve <NUM>. Such a cap is configured to pivot to one side or another side of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM> for removal of the intermittent catheter <NUM> from the catheter housing <NUM>.

Like that shown in <FIG>, <FIG> shows the catheter housing <NUM> including the inner sleeve <NUM> thereof configured to seal around the cap <NUM> integrated into the end portion of the funnel <NUM> of the intermittent catheter <NUM>. Indeed, as set forth below, the cap <NUM> includes the one-or-more ridges <NUM> (e.g., one or more annular seals) for the inner sleeve <NUM> to seal around.

<FIG> illustrates the catheter housing <NUM> of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>.

Different than the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the catheter housing <NUM> includes an outer sleeve <NUM> and a collapsible outer cover <NUM> coupled to the outer sleeve <NUM>.

The outer cover <NUM> is configured to collapse when a distal end of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM> is held against the surface S (e.g., a surface in an immediate environment such as a surface of a toilet or sink in a bathroom, a knee or thigh of a user, etc.) and the outer sleeve <NUM> is moved toward the surface S. Upon collapse of the outer cover <NUM>, the funnel <NUM> of the intermittent catheter <NUM> set forth below becomes exposed for removal of the intermittent catheter <NUM> from the catheter housing <NUM>.

The outer sleeve <NUM> includes an inner surface including a plurality of seals <NUM> (e.g., 'O'-rings) configured to secure the intermittent catheter <NUM> in the catheter housing <NUM> in the storage state of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>. By securing the intermittent catheter <NUM> in the catheter housing <NUM>, the seals <NUM> also maintain sterility of the intermittent catheter <NUM> prior to use of the intermittent catheter <NUM>. In addition, the seals <NUM> are configured to prevent urine leakage from the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM> in the storage state of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM> after use of the intermittent catheter <NUM>.

It should be understood that while certain embodiments of the catheter housing such as the catheter housing <NUM> or <NUM> include one or more seals (e.g., the annular seal <NUM> of the cap <NUM>, the seals <NUM>, etc.) and certain embodiments of the intermittent catheter such as the intermittent catheter <NUM> or <NUM> set forth below include the one-or-more ridges <NUM> or <NUM> (e.g., one or more annular seals for the cap <NUM> or <NUM>, etc.), embodiments of the intermittent-catheter assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be configured to utilize any sealing configuration set for the herein for sealing the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> in the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> in the storage state thereof.

<FIG> illustrates the intermittent catheter <NUM> of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <FIG> illustrates the intermittent catheter <NUM> of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <FIG> illustrates the intermittent catheter <NUM> of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrate the intermittent catheter <NUM> of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>.

While each intermittent catheter of the intermittent catheters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, features unique features as set forth below, each intermittent catheter of the foregoing intermittent catheters includes a funnel and a catheter tube coupled to the funnel. Indeed, the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> includes a funnel <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> and a catheter tube <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> coupled to the funnel <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. Notably, each intermittent catheter of the intermittent catheters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is a female intermittent catheter but need not be limited thereto. Indeed, each intermittent catheter of the intermittent catheters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can alternatively be a male intermittent catheter provided the catheter housings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are modified to accommodate such catheters.

The funnel <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> includes a funnel opening <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> in a proximal end of the funnel <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> opposite the catheter tube <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> as well as a plurality of ridges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> integrated into an outer surface of the funnel <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. The ridges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> can be circumferential ridges configured for gripping the funnel <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> as a handle while removing the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> from the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> or voiding urine through the funnel opening.

The catheter tube <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> includes a plurality of eyelets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> proximate a catheter tip <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. The eyelets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> are in fluid communication with the funnel opening <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the intermittent catheter <NUM> or <NUM> can include a cap <NUM> or <NUM> configured to cap the funnel opening <NUM> or <NUM> when not actively voiding urine or preparing void urine such as in at least the storage state of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM> or <NUM>. <FIG> respectively illustrate the intermittent catheter <NUM> with and without the cap <NUM> capping the funnel opening <NUM> of the intermittent catheter <NUM>. It should be understood that the intermittent catheter <NUM> likewise includes such states with and without the cap <NUM> capping the funnel opening <NUM> of the intermittent catheter <NUM>. The cap <NUM> or <NUM> is coupled to the funnel <NUM> or <NUM> by a living hinge <NUM> or <NUM>. The cap <NUM> or <NUM>, the living hinge <NUM> or <NUM>, and the funnel <NUM> or <NUM> can be molded together making each portion of the cap <NUM> or <NUM>, the living hinge <NUM> or <NUM>, and the funnel <NUM> or <NUM> portions an integral funnel piece.

As shown in <FIG>, the intermittent catheter <NUM> can include a cap <NUM> integrated into an end portion of the funnel <NUM> opposite the catheter tube <NUM>. With such an integrated cap, the funnel opening <NUM> opens in a side of the funnel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the intermittent catheter <NUM> need not include a cap of any kind when paired with the catheter housing <NUM>, which catheter housing <NUM> includes the cap <NUM>.

Notably, the cap <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> can include one or more ridges <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. The one-or-more ridges <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> can be circumferential ridges configured for gripping the cap <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> while uncapping the funnel opening <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of the funnel <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. In addition, such ridges can be complementary to, for example, the seals <NUM> of the outer sleeve <NUM> of the catheter housing <NUM>. Indeed, the one-or-more ridges <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> can be one or more annular seals around a perimeter of the cap <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> (e.g., one or more 'O'-rings disposed in one or more annular grooves around the perimeter of the cap <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>) configured to seal the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> in the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. Thus, the one-or-more ridges <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> when combined with, for example, the seals <NUM> of the outer sleeve <NUM> can doubly secure the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> in the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> and doubly maintain the sterility of the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> prior to use of the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

The intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> can further include, in some embodiments, a lubricant. When present, the lubricant is disposed in either the inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> between the inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> and the catheter tube <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> or in the outer cover <NUM> between the outer cover <NUM> and the catheter tube <NUM> in the storage state of the corresponding intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

Such a lubricant can include, but is not limited to, a mixture of glycerin (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %), water (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %), polyacrylic acid (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %), propylene glycol (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %), and sodium polyacrylate (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> wt. %) such as that found in Lubrajel® RR-CG (Guardian Laboratories, Hauppauge, NY) disposed over a hydrophilic coating such as a silicone-based hydrophilic coating or a polyvinylpyrrolidone ("PVP")-based coating. Such a lubricant encapsulates water molecules in a matrix that activates the hydrophilic coating.

Methods of the intermittent-catheter assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> include methods of using the foregoing catheter assemblies. For example, a method of using the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> includes one or more steps selected from an assembly-obtaining step, an assembly-transitioning step, and a first catheter-removing step.

The assembly-obtaining step includes obtaining the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> in the storage state thereof. As set forth above, the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> includes the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> disposed in the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

The assembly-transitioning step includes transitioning the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> into the opened state thereof. The assembly-transitioning step includes a sleeve-grasping step, an assembly-holding step, and a sleeve-moving step for transitioning the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> into the opened state thereof. The sleeve-grasping step includes grasping the outer sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. The assembly-holding step includes holding the distal end of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> against the surface S (e.g., the surface S of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, or <FIG>) by the outer sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. The sleeve-moving step includes moving the outer sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> toward the surface S to expose the funnel <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> (e.g., by popping the funnel <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> out of the outer sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>). However, the sleeve-moving step can vary in accordance with the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> as set forth below.

The sleeve-moving step includes sliding the outer sleeve <NUM> or <NUM> over the inner sleeve <NUM> or <NUM> of the catheter housing <NUM> or <NUM> when the outer sleeve <NUM> or <NUM> is mounted over the inner sleeve <NUM> or <NUM> as in the catheter assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>. Such a sleeve-moving step is accompanied by a first or second uncapping step. The first uncapping step includes uncapping the cap <NUM> capping the funnel opening <NUM> in the proximal end of the funnel <NUM>. As set forth above, the cap <NUM> is coupled to the funnel <NUM> by the living hinge <NUM>. The second uncapping step includes uncapping the cap <NUM> capping the funnel opening <NUM> in the proximal end of the funnel <NUM> by pivoting the cap <NUM> to one side or another side of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>. As set forth above, the cap <NUM> is coupled to the inner sleeve <NUM> by the pair of extension arms <NUM> extending from the cap <NUM>. Whether the first or second uncapping step is performed, it is preferentially performed before the first catheter-inserting step set forth below.

The sleeve-moving step includes sliding the outer sleeve <NUM> over the inner sleeve <NUM> of the catheter housing <NUM> when the outer sleeve <NUM> is mounted over the inner sleeve <NUM> as in the catheter assembly <NUM>. In this case, however, the sleeve-moving step includes exposing the funnel opening <NUM> in the side of the funnel <NUM>. Such a sleeve-moving step need not be accompanied by a separate uncapping step because the sleeve-moving step effectively includes the uncapping step.

The sleeve-moving step includes collapsing the collapsible outer cover <NUM> of the catheter housing <NUM> when the outer sleeve <NUM> is coupled to the outer cover <NUM>. Such a sleeve-moving step is accompanied by the first uncapping step. Again, the first uncapping step includes uncapping the cap <NUM> capping the funnel opening <NUM>. As set forth above, the cap <NUM> is coupled to the funnel <NUM> by the living hinge <NUM>. The first uncapping step is preferentially performed before the first catheter-inserting step set forth below.

The first catheter-removing step includes removing the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> from the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> by the funnel <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

The method further includes a first catheter-inserting step and a urine-voiding step. The first catheter-inserting step includes inserting the catheter tube <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> into a urethra. The urine-voiding step includes voiding urine from a bladder.

The method further includes a second catheter-removing step and a second catheter-inserting step. The second catheter-removing step includes removing the catheter tube <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> from the urethra after the urine-voiding step. The second catheter-inserting step includes inserting the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> into the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. Optionally, the second catheter-inserting step is performed concomitantly with a capping step of capping the funnel opening <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of the funnel <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. The second catheter-inserting step with the optional capping step seals the intermittent catheter <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> in the catheter housing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> and prevents residual urine leakage from the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> in the storage state of the intermittent-catheter assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An intermittent-catheter assembly (<NUM>;<NUM>;<NUM>), comprising:
a collapsible catheter housing (<NUM>;<NUM>;<NUM>) including:
an inner sleeve (<NUM>;<NUM>;<NUM>);
an outer sleeve (<NUM>;<NUM>;<NUM>) slidably mounted over the inner sleeve; and
a cap (<NUM>) coupled to the inner sleeve, the cap including a pair of extension arms (<NUM>) extending from the cap, the pair of extension arms including a corresponding pair of inwardly protruding posts about end portions of the extension arms, and the pair of posts disposed in a pair of outwardly opening sockets in the inner sleeve; and
an intermittent catheter (<NUM>;<NUM>;<NUM>) including:
a funnel (<NUM>;<NUM>;<NUM>) having a funnel opening (<NUM>;<NUM>;<NUM>) for voiding urine; and
a catheter tube (<NUM>;<NUM>;<NUM>) coupled to the funnel, the intermittent-catheter assembly having:
a storage state in which the intermittent catheter is sealed within the catheter housing; and
an opened state in which the catheter housing is collapsed exposing the funnel of the intermittent catheter for removal of the intermittent catheter from the catheter housing.