Flushable Disintegration Catheter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021069385-A1
Application number	US-202017101388-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 23, 2020
Priority date	Dec 12, 2013
Publication date	Mar 11, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

Medical devices that are flushable in a standard toilet are disclosed. The medical devices are made at least in part of material that when introduced into water (of a toilet) disintegrate and/or fragment or are fragmentable before or after introduction into water such that they can be easily carried by the water through the disposal system. At least a portion of the device is intended for insertion into a patient or subject wherein the body-insertable portion retains its structural integrity while in use but is fragmentable once outside the body and exposed to a selected condition.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 .- 17 . (canceled)

18 . A method of disposing of a used medical device including a body-insertable portion and a non-insertable portion wherein at least said body-insertable portion is made at least in part of a material that is fragmentable comprising:
a) contacting said device with a solvent; and b) fragmenting said device into multiple fragments.

19 .- 20 . (canceled)

21 . The method of claim 18 comprising combining said device with a catalyst.

22 .- 26 . (canceled)

27 . A flushable medical device system comprising:
a) a medical device assembly including a body-insertable portion and a non-insertable portion wherein at least said body-insertable portion is made at least in part of a material that is fragmentable into multiple fragments; and b) an agent selected to promote fragmentation of said device.

28 . The flushable medical device system of claim 27 wherein said agent is a compound that reacts with said material.

29 . The system of claim 27 wherein said agent is a compound that reacts with a liquid.

30 . (canceled)

31 . The system of claim 27 wherein said agent comprises an acid.

32 . The system of claim 27 wherein said agent is selected to raise the temperature of said liquid.

33 . The system of claim 27 wherein said agent is provided in the form of a tablet.

34 . The system of claim 27 wherein said agent is provided in a part of said device assembly.

35 . The system of claim 27 further comprising a package wherein said agent is provided in said package.

36 . The system of claim 27 wherein at least said body-insertable portion comprises sodium bicarbonate.

37 . A method of making a flushable medical device assembly comprising:
a) compounding a water soluble material with a filler selected to release thermal energy upon contact with water to provide a compounded material; b) pelletizing said compounded material; and c) molding said compounded material into a desired component of a medical device assembly.

38 . The method of claim 37 further comprising incorporating said molded component into said medical device.

39 . The method of claim 37 wherein said water soluble material is heated to a temperature above its melting point.

40 . The method of claim 38 wherein said desired component comprises a foam material.

41 . The method of claim 40 wherein said material comprises about 50% gas, by volume.

42 . The method of claim 41 wherein said desired component further comprises a polymeric material.

43 . The method of claim 42 wherein said polymeric material comprises polyvinyl alcohol.

44 . The method of claim 40 wherein said desired component comprises a foam comprising gas, filler, and polymer in a ratio of 20:50:30.

45 . The method of claim 37 wherein said medical device is a urinary catheter, said method comprising molding said compounded material into a catheter funnel.

Assignees

• Hollister Inc

Inventors

• Clarke John T
• Henry Jerome A
• Foley Adam J
• Rostami Shamsedin
• Carter Enda F
• Montes De Oca Balderas Horacio

Classifications

• A61L29/041 Primary

  obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds · CPC title

• A61M25/0017

  specially adapted for long-term hygiene care, e.g. urethral or indwelling catheters to prevent infections · CPC title

• A61M25/002

  Packages specially adapted therefor (combined with means for introducing catheters, e.g. dispensers, A61M25/0113); catheter kit packages (for surgical articles A61B50/30) · CPC title

• B29C44/02

  for articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles · CPC title

• A61M25/0043

  characterised by structural features · CPC title