Related Applications

The present application claims the priority to and the benefit of U.S.

Provisional Patent Application No. 63/231 ,857, filed August 11 , 2021 , which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to catheter products that include a package for easy and convenient disposal of the product after use. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to intermittent urinary catheter products including a package having an associated reclosable member.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0002] 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.

[0003] 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.

SUMMARY

[0004] 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.

[0005] 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.

[0006] 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an intermittent urinary catheter product;

[0008] Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the intermittent urinary catheter product of Fig. 1 ;

[0009] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the intermittent urinary catheter product of Fig. 1 , showing the product in an open configuration, such that an opening is visible;

[00010] Fig. 4 is a side plan view of the intermittent urinary catheter product of Fig. 3, showing the opening of the package;

[00011] Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the intermittent urinary catheter product of Fig. 1 , taken along line V-V and showing a first embodiment of a reclosable member associated with the opening;

[00012] Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the intermittent urinary catheter product of Fig. 1 , taken along line V-V and showing a second embodiment of a reclosable member associated with the opening, the second embodiment including a sealing strip;

[00013] Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the opening of the intermittent urinary catheter product of Fig. 6, showing the sealing strip being peeled;

[00014] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the intermittent urinary catheter product of Fig. 1 , showing a hydrophilic urinary catheter and a hydration fluid contained within the package; and

[00015] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the intermittent urinary catheter product of Fig. 8, showing the package reclosed after the catheter has been placed back into the package after use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[00016] The embodiments disclosed herein are for the purpose of providing a description of the present subject matter, and it is understood that the subject matter may be embodied in various other forms and combinations not shown in detail. Therefore, specific embodiments and features disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting the subject matter as defined in the accompanying claims.

[00017] Figs. 1 -2 illustrate an embodiment of an intermittent urinary catheter product 100 including a package 102, 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 102 has opposed front and rear panels (104 and 106, respectively) that are sealed together to define a sealed interior cavity 103 (Figs. 3-5). The panels 104, 106 may be sealed together by any suitable method such as heat sealing. The sealed interior cavity 103 may be airtight and watertight when closed such that it is suitable for sterilely containing an intermittent urinary catheter 123 (Figs. 4 and 8). The package 102 has top and bottom edges (108 and 110, respectively) and opposed side edges (112 and 114, respectively).

[00018] As shown in Figs. 3-4, the package 102 may be tearable such that an opening 120 is formed in the package 102 when a user tears the package 102. The opening 120 is in communication with the cavity 103 and allows access to the urinary catheter 123 within the cavity 103. The package 102 may include tear direction element(s) associated with the package 102 to facilitate tearing in a desired direction, such as in a substantially straight line adjacent and parallel to an edge of the package 102. 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 104 has an inner surface 105, and the rear panel 106 has an inner surface 107. The inner surfaces 105, 107 define the cavity 103. Each panel 104, 106 may include a tear element that promotes tearing of each panel parallel and adjacent to edge 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the package 102 is tearable parallel to the side edge 112. However, in alternative embodiments the package 102 and the panels 104, 106 may be tearable parallel to the other edges.

[00019] As shown in Figs 1-3, the package 102 may include a gripping member 138, such as a finger hole to help the user tear the package 102. The gripping member 138 may be in a sealed portion 138a of the package 102. To tear the package 102, the user may place a finger in the gripping member 138 and pull such that the front and rear panels 104, 106 of the package tear parallel to edge 112, exposing the opening 120 and allowing access to the cavity 103. The torn portion 112a (Fig. 3) of the package 102 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 102. The package 102 and its parts may be made of any suitable flexible, and sealable material including but not limited to plastic or foil.

[00020] Fig. 5 shows the opening of the package 102. As shown in this figure, at least one of the inner surface 105 of the front panel 104 and the inner surface 107 of the rear panel 106 includes a reclosable member 116 associated therewith. The reclosable member 116 has a longitudinal axis A (Fig. 4) that is generally parallel with at least one of the edges, and in the illustrated embodiment side edge 112. The front and rear panels 104, 106 of the package 102 are tearable adjacent to the reclosable member 116. Thus, the front and rear panels 104, 106 are tearable between the edge 112 of the package 102 and the reclosable member 116. Accordingly, the tearing of the front and rear panels 104, 106 forms the opening 120 in the package 102 adjacent to the reclosable member 116 and in communication with the interior cavity 103.

[00021] The reclosable member 116 is configured to provide a mechanism for closing the package 102 after the user has opened the package 102. The reclosable member 116 is configured to attach the inner surface 105 of the front panel 104 to the inner surface 107 of the rear panel 106 so as to close the opening 120 with or without a watertight seal. Optionally, the reclosable member 116 provides a watertight seal for closing the opening 120.

[00022] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the reclosable member 116 includes a male member 122 and a female member 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the male member 122 is associated with inner surface 105 of front panel 104 and the female member 124 is associated with the inner surface 107 of the rear panel. The male and female members 122, 124 may be attached the inner surface in any suitable manner, such as by heat sealing or adhesive. The male member 122 and the female member 124 are configured to detachably interlock. For example, the male member 122 may be configured to interlock with the female member 124 in a push fit or an interference fit. In the embodiment shown, the male member 122 is a ridge, and the female member 124 is a groove, where the groove is configured to receive the ridge. Though a ridge and groove are shown, any other appropriate known mechanism for opening and closing the package 102 may be used to form the reclosable member. In order to close the reclosable member 116, the user may press the male member 122 into the female member 124 and to open the reclosable member 116, the user may disconnect the male member 122 from the female member 124 by pulling the male member 122 in a first direction and pulling the female member 124 in an opposite direction such that the male member 122 and female member 124 are disengaged. As shown, the male member 122 may be on an opposing inner surface from the female member 124, so that the user may pull one inner surface 105 away from the other inner surface 107 to disengage the male member 122 from the female member 124. The male member 122 and female member 124 may span any appropriate length of the front panel inner surface 105 and the rear panel inner surface 107, respectively. In one embodiment, the male member 122 and female member 124 span a length so as to substantially close the opening 120, and in one alternative to form a liquid-tight seal.

[00023] In an embodiment the male member and female member may span the entire length of the package 102 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 105, 107. The male and female members may be made of any suitable material including polyethylene terephthalate and other plastic polymers.

[00024] Figs. 6 and 7 show an alternative embodiment of the reclosable member 118, where the reclosable member 118 includes a sealing strip 126. The sealing strip 126 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 102. As shown, the sealing strip 126 may be positioned on the front panel inner surface 105. The sealing strip 126 may include a removable covering 128, such as a release liner, that covers the other side of the adhesive prior to use. As shown in Fig. 7, a user may pull the removable covering 128 away from the sealing strip 126 to expose the adhesive. The removable covering 128 prevents the adhesive from prematurely causing the two panels 104, 106 to stick together. When the user is ready to reclose the opening 120, the user may remove the covering 128 from the sealing strip 126, exposing the adhesive, and press the sealing strip 126 against the rear panel inner surface 107. When the user presses the adhesive covered surface of the sealing strip 126 to the rear panel inner surface 107, the sealing strip 126 sticks to the rear panel inner surface 107, closing the opening 120 and resealing the cavity 103. The adhesive may be made out of any suitable material for reclosing the package 102, 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 embodiment shown the reclosable member 118 is on the front panel inner surface 105, in alternative embodiments, the reclosable member may be configured such that a part of the reclosable member is on the front panel inner surface 105 and another part of the reclosable member 118 is on the rear panel inner surface 107. In an embodiment, the sealing strip 126 and removable covering 128 may run continuously along the front and/or rear inner surfaces of the package 102. Alternatively, the sealing strip 126 and removable covering 128 may be configured in a discontinuous fashion.

[00025] As shown, in Figs. 8 and 9, a hydrophilic urinary catheter 123 is contained within the cavity 103 of the package 102. A hydration fluid 140 is also contained within the cavity 103 such that the hydration fluid 140 hydrates the urinary catheter 123 when the urinary catheter 123 is stored in the package 102. The hydrated catheter 123 is thus ready for use when the user opens the package 102. The hydration fluid may be any suitable fluid for hydrating the catheter 123 including water. The catheter 123 has a distal end 130 including a funnel 132 and a proximal end 134 including a tip 136. The tip 136, optionally, may be configured to detachably interconnect with an interior portion of the funnel 132. The tip 136 and funnel 132 may be connected, for example, in an interference fit or push fit. As shown, the catheter 123 may form a closed loop when the tip 136 and funnel 132 are interconnected. In other embodiments, the catheter 123 may be in a straight configuration. For example, shorter female catheters may be in a straight configuration. When the catheter 123 is stored in the cavity 103, the tip 136 and funnel 132 may, but do not necessarily, interconnect in the closed loop configuration for more compact storage. When the user is ready to use the catheter 123, the user tears the package 102 open. After the package 102 is torn open, the user then may remove the catheter 123 from the package 102, detach the tip 136 from the funnel 132, if so attached, and use the catheter 123. Referring to Fig. 9, after use, when ready to dispose of the catheter 123, the user may place the catheter 123 back into the package 102 through opening 120 (Fig 3 - 7). If the catheter is so designed, the user may reattach the tip 136 to the funnel 132, such that the catheter is again in the closed-loop configuration and replace the closed-loop catheter 123 into the cavity 103 of the package 102. The catheter 123 may be placed in the package 102 such that the entirety of the catheter 123 fits into the cavity 103 below the reclosable member. The user may then close the reclosable member, resealing the package 102, as described above. After reclosing, the user may dispose of the product 100 by placing it in a trash receptacle.

[00026] Other variations and combinations may also be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[00027] It will be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present subject matter. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter, including those combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein. For these reasons, the scope hereof is not limited to the above description but is as set forth in the following claims, and it is understood that claims may be directed to the features hereof, including as combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein.