Development of prototype and phantom study of a new portable automatic urinary catheterization device

Introduction/Background Neurogenic bladder dysfunction is one of the most important sequelae after spinal cord injury, stroke or multiple sclerosis Intermittent catheterization (IC) is an effective bladder management strategy for incomplete bladder emptying However, the patients with impaired hand function are difficult to perform self IC and dependent to caregivers Thus, we developed a new small-sized portable device for self catheterization. Material and method The new device is composed of two parts; disposable part and operating part The disposable part would be consist of a penis cap which would contact with glens of penis and contain lubricational system, and a sterilized catheter The operating part would include a gear and motor which would advance the catheter, and a rechargeable battery. The penis cap of disposable part would be docked with operating part Then the operating part would advance the catheter into the penis cap and orifice of the penis This system would be composed of sponge containing distilled water As the pre-lubricated hydrophilic catheter used in this system would contact with the sponge, the catheter could be lubricated and glide smoothly into the penis. Results In a dummy model phantom study, the catheter was lubricated well and inserted smoothly into the bladder without any complications We filed a patent for a new device lubrication system. Conclusion We confirmed a possibility of the newly developed portable automatic urinary catheterization device that could assist performing the IC Even a patient with impaired fine motor ability in upper extremity or a caregiver might perform the IC easily using this device.