Intermittent catheter storage/sterilisation
A catheter storage and sterilisation device that has a housing and a removeable cartridge, the cartridge including a catheter-receiving chamber for receiving a catheter. The cartridge being removably attachable to the housing and having an opening in fluid communication with the housing. The housing has a chamber for receiving a sterilisation fluid and a mechanism for supplying a sterilisation fluid to the cartridge via the opening.
1 . A catheter storage and sterilisation device; the device comprising a housing and a removeable cartridge;
the cartridge including a catheter-receiving chamber therein for receiving a catheter;
the cartridge being removably attachable to the housing and having an opening in fluid communication with the housing;
the housing comprising a chamber for receiving a sterilisation fluid and a mechanism for supplying a sterilisation fluid to the cartridge via the opening; and
a tubular catheter holder arranged within the catheter-receiving chamber comprising a plurality of ribs projecting radially inward from an interior surface thereof and a radially inward facing the plurality of ribs defining an engaging surface configured to engage with the catheter,
wherein the cartridge is formed of a translucent material, and
wherein the tubular catheter holder comprises an outer diameter corresponding to an inner diameter of the catheter receiving chamber.
2 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 1 , wherein the ribs are configured to engage with the catheter at a connecter arranged thereon.
3 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 2 , wherein the catheter further comprises a catheter tube and a funnel, and wherein the connector is arranged between the catheter tube and funnel.
4 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 3 , wherein the funnel comprises a textured exterior surface which provides a handling surface.
5 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for supplying a sterilisation fluid is an atomiser.
6 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 5 wherein the atomiser is a piezo-electric atomiser.
7 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 1 wherein the cartridge and housing are attached with an interference fit.
8 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 1 wherein the cartridge and housing are attached with an annular snap fit.
9 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a seal between the cartridge and housing.
10 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 1 further comprising a urinary catheter.
11 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 10 wherein the catheter is an intermittent catheter.
12 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 10 wherein an atomiser is arranged proximate to an insertion end of the catheter.
13 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 1 further comprising an external housing, the external housing having an elongate shape.
14 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 1 wherein an exterior wall of the catheter-receiving chamber comprises an exterior wall of an external housing of the device.
15 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 1 further comprising a sterilisation unit comprising one or more of the following: the sterilisation fluid storage means, the atomiser, the vaporiser, a battery, a PCB controller, one or more indicators.
16 . The catheter storage and sterilisation device according to claim 15 wherein an external wall of the sterilisation unit comprises an external wall of an external housing of the device.