FLUID FLOW SWITCHING DEVICE FOR CATHETERIZATION WITH A THREE WAY BLADDER CATHETER

Abstract

A flow switching device for catheterization via a three way catheter has a housing with four openings, and first, second and third distal hydraulic conduits originating at the first, second and third openings, respectively. A switch enables changes among a first operative configuration wherein the first and third openings are in communication, a second operative configuration wherein the second and fourth openings are in communication, and a third operative configuration wherein the first and second openings are in communication, and a fourth operative configuration wherein the second and third openings are in communication. A hydraulic bifurcation with a respective proximal hydraulic branch originates from the fourth opening, and fourth and fifth distal hydraulic conduits originating distally from the proximal hydraulic branch are in fluid dynamical communication with each other.

Claims

1. Fluid flow switching device for catheterization with a three way bladder catheter, comprising: a housing; a first, second, third and fourth opening obtained in the housing; a first, second and third distal hydraulic conduit originating at the first, second and third opening, respectively; switching means designed for engaging with the housing such that in a first operative configuration make communicating the first opening with the third opening; in a second operative configuration make communicating the second opening with the fourth opening; in a third operative configuration make communicating the first opening with the second opening; in a fourth operative configuration make communicating the second opening with the third opening; and a hydraulic bifurcation comprising: a respective proximal hydraulic branch originating from said fourth opening, a fourth and fifth distal hydraulic conduit originating distally from said proximal hydraulic branch and which are fluid dynamically communicating with respect to each other.

2. Flow switching device according to claim 1, wherein the first, second and third distal hydraulic conduit and hydraulic bifurcation are external to the housing, the switching means are at least introducible in the housing and comprising a greater hydraulic pipeline and a smaller hydraulic pipeline, wherein all said openings, greater hydraulic pipeline and smaller hydraulic pipeline are configured and arranged so that with the switching means at least partially introduced in the housing and, after mutual rotations of the switching means with respect to the housing, the switching device can assume: the first and the second operative configuration, in each one of which, the greater hydraulic pipeline connects only two not consecutive openings and in which the smaller hydraulic pipeline does not connect any opening; and the third and fourth operative configuration, in each one of which, the smaller hydraulic pipeline connects only two consecutive openings and in which the greater hydraulic pipeline does not connect any opening.

3. Flow switching device according to claim 2, wherein the housing is cylindrical and delimited internally and laterally by a first cylindrical surface which is lateral and internal, the housing being accessible in parallel to the first cylindrical surface; the first, second, third and fourth opening are arranged substantially along a circumference of the first cylindrical surface, the one after the other one, angularly spaced of a first angle between 80 and 100; the switching means comprise a second cylindrical surface which is lateral, outer, holed and introducible in said housing in parallel to the first cylindrical surface; and which has such a diameter that, when it is introduced in the housing 7, it is adjacent in strict adherence to said first cylindrical surface to allow to be held in said housing and to close at least two of said openings, at respective not holed portions and after mutual rotations with respect to the first cylindrical surface; the greater hydraulic pipeline is internal and which connects a first and a second through hole, obtained in the second cylindrical surface and angularly spaced with respect to each other of a second angle between 170 and 190; the smaller hydraulic pipeline is internal; arranged laterally to the greater hydraulic pipeline and connects a third and fourth through hole, obtained in the second cylindrical surface laterally and substantially coplanarly to said first and second through holes, wherein all said openings and all said through holes are configured and arranged so that with the second cylindrical surface introduced in the housing and, after mutual rotations of the second cylindrical surface with respect to the first cylindrical surface, the switching device can assume said first, second third and fourth operative configuration.

4. Flow switching device according to claim 1, wherein the switching means are realized as a single body and can be obtained by moulding.

5. Flow switching device according to claim 4, wherein the switching means comprise a first and a second hydraulic tube defining internally said greater hydraulic pipeline and said smaller hydraulic pipeline, respectively, wherein the first and second hydraulic tube are realized as a single body with the second cylindrical surface to form a first structural element obtainable by moulding.

6. Flow switching device according to claim 5, wherein said first, second and third distal hydraulic conduit and the proximal hydraulic branch are realized as a single body with said first cylindrical surface to form a second structural element obtainable by moulding; and wherein the switching device comprises a three way hydraulic fitting hydraulically connectable to said proximal hydraulic branch to provide said hydraulic bifurcation together with said proximal hydraulic branch.

7. Flow switching device according to claim 6, wherein a first way of the three way hydraulic fitting could be fit on said proximal hydraulic branch, and the respective remaining ways define said fourth and fifth distal hydraulic conduit, respectively.

8. Flow switching device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the greater hydraulic pipeline and the smaller hydraulic pipeline is rectilinear.

9. Flow switching device according to claim 8, wherein the greater hydraulic pipeline and the smaller hydraulic pipeline are parallel with respect to each other.

10. Flow switching device according to claim 3, wherein said first, second, third and fourth opening are arranged the one after the other, angularly equidistant; said first and second through hole being obtained substantially diametrally the one with respect to the other; and said third and fourth through hole being angularly spaced of a third angle substantially equal to 90.

11. Flow switching device according to claim 3, wherein said first, second, third and fourth opening, said first, second, third and fourth through hole have the same dimensions.

12. Flow switching device according to claim 10, wherein the first, second, third and fourth distal hydraulic conduit are substantially coplanar, rectilinear and inclined with respect to a radial direction, passing across a center of said circumference and across a center of the respective opening, of a fourth angle between 20 and 45.

13. Flow switching device according to claim 12, wherein the fourth angle is between 35 and 45.

14. Flow switching device according to claim 12, wherein the fourth angle is substantially equal to 45 and as a consequence the first, second, third and fourth distal hydraulic conduit are parallel with respect to each other.

15. Flow switching device according to claim 1, wherein the fifth distal hydraulic conduit has a respective longitudinal axis forming a fifth angle between 135 and 160 with a longitudinal axis of the fourth distal hydraulic conduit.

16. Flow switching device according to claim 3, wherein said switching means comprise a grasp element to carry out said mutual rotations, the grasp element being arranged superiorly to the second cylindrical surface and outside the housing.

17. Kit for bladder catheterization, comprising: a switching device according to claim 1; a three way bladder catheter; and a suction device of liquids enclosed in a sterile or sterilizable pack.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In the present description and in the claims, the terms connection and the verb to connect mean fluid, in particular hydraulic connections, and when not indicated with the term catheter or three way catheter it is intended a three way bladder catheter. Moreover, the terms operative configuration means a configuration usable to carry out a cystolusis or cystoclysis step.

[0017] The features of the invention will be highlighted in the following, in which relative preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the switching device according to the invention in a first operative configuration;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective and exploded view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view, in longitudinal section, of the device of FIG. 1; and

[0021] FIGS. 4-6 are perspective views and in longitudinal section, of the device of FIG. 1, in a second, third and fourth operative configuration, respectively.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] In FIGS. 3-6, for clarity, the sectioned surfaces are not indicated with the conventional dash line.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a fluid flow switching device for catheterization with a three way bladder catheter (not shown) is indicated with 100. In such figures, the realizable fluid flows are indicated in dash line and the respective arrows indicate the direction thereof. Said fluid flow switching device 100 for catheterization with a three way bladder catheter comprises: [0024] a housing 7; [0025] a first, second, third and fourth opening 11, 12, 13, 14 obtained in the housing 7; [0026] a first, second and third distal hydraulic conduit 1, 2, 3, originating at the first, second and third opening 11, 12, 13, respectively; [0027] switching means 20 designed for engaging with the housing such that in a first operative configuration make communicating the first opening 11 with the third opening 13; in a second operative configuration make communicating the second opening 12 with the fourth opening 14; in a third operative configuration make communicating the first opening 11 with the second opening 12; in a fourth operative configuration make communicating the second opening 12 with the third opening 13; and [0028] hydraulic bifurcation 17 comprising: a respective proximal hydraulic branch 6 originating from said fourth opening 14, a fourth and fifth distal hydraulic conduit 4, 5 originating distally from said proximal hydraulic branch 6 and which are fluid dynamically communicating with respect to each other.

[0029] Preferably, in the first operative configuration, the switching means 20 make communicating only the first opening 11 with the third opening 13.

[0030] Advantageously, in the second operative configuration, the switching means 20 make communicating only the second opening 12 with the fourth opening 14.

[0031] Preferably in the third operative configuration, the switching means 20 make communicating only the first opening 11 with the second opening 12.

[0032] It is preferable that, in a fourth operative configuration, the switching means 20 make communicating only the second opening 12 with the third opening 13.

[0033] Analogously, it is preferable that, in each operative configuration, the switching means 20 make communicating the relating above-mentioned openings only, since in each operative configuration the switching device allows to connect only two between the first, second and third distal hydraulic conduit 1, 2, 3 and proximal hydraulic branch 6. It is avoided that, accidentally, the operator can connect more of two between the first, second and third distal hydraulic conduit 1, 2, 3 and proximal hydraulic branch 6. This assure correct and simplified cystoclysis and cystolusis procedures. Indeed, the operator has not to take an action on the interrupting flow devices, which can be present downstream of the first three distal hydraulic conduits 1, 2, 3 and proximal hydraulic branch 6. Moreover, this renders superfluous the presence of said the interrupting flow devices, since the switching means execute the same function of the interrupting flow devices.

[0034] According to an aspect particularly preferred of the invention, the switching means 20 are at least partially introducible in the housing 7. The five distal conduits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of the switching device 100 according to the invention can be connected hydraulically at the same time in the following hydraulic arrangement, in which: [0035] the first distal conduit 1 is connected to the first way of a three way bladder catheter, which, we remember, is arranged for the urine flow from the bladder; [0036] the second distal conduit 2 is connected to a liquid suction device (typically a truncated/conical syringe), not shown; [0037] the third distal conduit 3 is connected to a drainage tube of an urine collection device, not shown; [0038] a fourth distal conduit 4 is connected to the third way of said three way bladder catheter, which is arranged to convey a washing liquid in bladder; and [0039] the fifth distal conduit 5 is connected to an infusion tubing of a sterile washing liquid supplying system.

[0040] According to an aspect particularly preferred of the invention, in each embodiments disclosed and fitting in the scope of the claims, the fourth and the fifth distal conduits 4, 5 can be always connected fluid dynamically. Therefore, with said hydraulic arrangement and in any operative configuration of the switching device 100, washing liquid is conveyed continuously from the respective supplying system to the bladder through: the fifth conduit 5; the fourth conduit 4; and the third way of the catheter. This allows advantageously maintaining irrigated the bladder without interruptions both during the cystoclysis and during the cystolusis, and during the passage from the one procedure to the other one. In such way, a constant cleaning of the bladder is guaranteed.

[0041] According to a further embodiment, the first, second and third distal hydraulic conduit 1, 2, 3 and the hydraulic bifurcation 17 are external to the housing 7, the switching means 20 are at least introducible in the housing 7 and comprising a greater hydraulic pipeline 15 and a smaller hydraulic pipeline 16, wherein all said openings 11, 12, 13, 14, greater hydraulic pipeline 15 and smaller hydraulic pipeline 16 are configured and arranged so that with the switching means 20 at least partially introduced in the housing 7 and, after mutual rotations of the switching means 20 with respect to the housing 7, the switching device can assume: [0042] the first and the second operative configuration, in each one of which, the greater hydraulic pipeline 15 connects only two not consecutive openings 11, 12, 13, 14 and in which the smaller hydraulic pipeline 16 does not connect any opening 11, 12, 13, 14; and [0043] the third and fourth operative configuration, in each one of which, the smaller hydraulic pipeline 16 connects only two consecutive openings 11, 12, 13, 14 and in which the greater hydraulic pipeline 15 does not connect any opening 11, 12, 13, 14.

[0044] This consents to realize the switching means in a simple and economic way, for example starting from a full cylinder (for example in plastic material), of suitable diameter, obtaining innerly the greater and smaller hydraulic pipelines 15, 16 by means of a drill or other suitable tool.

[0045] Preferably, the greater hydraulic pipeline 15 has a length which is greater than a length of smaller hydraulic pipeline 16.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment:

[0047] the housing 7 is cylindrical and delimited internally and laterally by a first cylindrical surface 9 which is lateral and internal, the housing 7 being accessible in parallel to the first cylindrical surface 9;

[0048] the first, second, third and fourth opening 11, 12, 13, 14 are arranged substantially along a circumference of the first cylindrical surface 9, the one after the other one, angularly spaced of a first angle between 80 and 100;

[0049] the switching means 20 comprise a second cylindrical surface 29 which is lateral, outer, holed and introducible in said housing 7 in parallel to the first cylindrical surface 9; and which has such a diameter that, when it is introduced in the housing 7, it is adjacent in strict adherence to said first cylindrical surface 9 to allow to be held in said housing 7 and to close at least two of said openings 11, 12, 13, 14, at respective not holed portions and after mutual rotations with respect to the first cylindrical surface 9; [0050] the greater hydraulic pipeline 15 is internal and which connects a first and a second through hole 21, 22, obtained in the second cylindrical surface 29 and angularly spaced with respect to each other of a second angle between 170 and 190; [0051] the smaller hydraulic pipeline 16 is internal; arranged laterally to the greater hydraulic pipeline 15 and connects a third and fourth through hole 23, 24, obtained in the second cylindrical surface 29 laterally and substantially coplanarly to said first and second through holes 21, 22, wherein all said openings 11, 12, 13, 14 and all said through holes 21, 22, 23, 24 are configured and arranged so that with the second cylindrical surface 29 introduced in the housing 7 and, after mutual rotations of the second cylindrical surface 29 with respect to the first cylindrical surface 9, the switching device 100 can assume said first, second third and fourth operative configurations.

[0052] This consents the assembling of the device according to the invention providing the introduction by pressure of the second tubular surface in the housing guarantying an effective hydraulic sealing of the switching device. In said hydraulic arrangement and in the first operative configuration (FIGS. 1 and 3), while the washing liquid is conveyed from the respective supplying system to the bladder, the switching means 20, and in particular, the relating greater hydraulic pipeline 15 (when provided) connect the first to the third distal conduit 3 and so connect the first way of the three way catheter to the urine collection device. This allows carrying out cystoclysis.

[0053] In the second operative configuration (FIG. 4), the switching means 20, and in particular the greater hydraulic pipeline 15 (when provided) connect the second distal tube to the respective proximal hydraulic branch 6, which in turn is connected to the fourth and fifth distal conduit 4, 5. Therefore, due to the high fluid dynamic resistance of the third way of said catheter, in the second operative configuration, the suction device can suck only the washing liquid from the respective supplying system. In addition, with the switching device 100 according to the invention in the operative configuration it is possible to des-obstruct also the third way of said catheter without interrupting the closed circuit. In fact, after sucking the washing liquid, it is enough to close the infusion tubing of the washing liquid supplying system and acting on the suction device, to convey the sucked liquid in bladder through the third way.

[0054] Preferably, the consequent drainage liquid is then drained from the bladder to the suction device with the switching device 100 configured in the following third operative configuration.

[0055] In the third operative configuration (FIG. 5), the switching means 20, and in particular the smaller hydraulic pipeline 16 (when provided), connect the first to the second distal conduit 2 connecting the first way of the catheter to the suction device. This allows to convey in the bladder, through the first way of the catheter, the sucked washing liquid and, in the following, to convey a consequent drainage liquid from the bladder to the suction device.

[0056] In the fourth operative configuration (FIG. 6), the switching means 20, and in particular the smaller hydraulic pipeline 16 (when provided), connect the second distal conduit 2 to the third distal conduit 3 and so the suction device to the urine collection device.

[0057] It is to be noted that the dimensions of said openings 11, 12, 13, 14 and of said holes 12, 22, 23, 24 are such that it is practically impossible that the operator connects accidentally a distal hydraulic conduit 1, 2, 3, 4 to more than one remaining distal hydraulic conduits 1, 2, 3, 4. This avoids that, for example, the sucked drainage liquid can be re-conveyed in bladder through the first or second way of catheter while it is conveyed in the urine collection device.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 4, according to an aspect of the invention, the openings 11, 12, 13, 14 are substantially arranged at the vertexes of a square inscribable in said circumference and having a side of length D1 (see FIG. 4). Preferably, such openings 11, 12, 13, 14 are arranged the one after the other one angularly spaced of a first angle (see FIG. 3) substantially between 85 and 95, preferably between 88 and 92, more preferably between 89 and 91.

[0059] Preferably, the openings 11, 12, 13, 14 are centred with respect to said vertexes, in such case, they result angularly equidistant of a first angle substantially equal to 90. This simplifies the design and the realization of the switching device 100. Therefore, said first, second, third and fourth openings are arranged the one after the other one at a respective spacing D1 (centrally measured with respect to the openings 11, 12, 13, 14). Therefore, as a consequence, two not consecutive openings result substantially diametrally opposed with respect to such circumference, and arranged at a mutual second spacing (centrally measured with respect to the openings) equal to the diameter of said circumference, therefore they are substantially diametral the one with respect to the other one. In such case, it is preferable that said first and second holes are obtained substantially diametrally with respect to each other (i.e. angularly spaced of a second angle substantially equal to 180) and that said third and fourth holes are angularly spaced of a third angle substantially equal to 90, i.e. arranged at a mutual second spacing substantially equal to said first spacing D1 (since for the present invention, it is assumed that the side of the square inscribable in said circumference is substantially equal to the one of a square inscribable in another circumference respective to the second tubular surface). Anyway, by suitably dimensioning the through holes 21, 22, 23, 24 and the openings 11, 12, 13, 14 it is possible to balance the angulation of said openings and said holes.

[0060] Preferably, the conduits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are directly connectable to said catheter, the drainage tube, the infusion tubing and the suction device and to this aim they can be provided with respective tapered distal ends. Also the proximal hydraulic branch 6 is advantageously provided with a respective tapered distal end.

[0061] According to a particularly preferred aspect of the invention, the switching means 20 are realized as a single body. Preferably, the switching means 20 are realized as a single body and are obtainable, or can be obtained by moulding. In such case, they are not provided with respective elements to be assembled, for example by gluing or welding. Moreover, the moulding allows a very effective mechanical calibration of the coupling with the housing 7. In addition, this allows to render the switching device 100 sealed by simply introduction by pressure of the second surface of the housing 7. Such feature is fundamental for the function for which the switching device 100 has been designed, since all the hydraulic connections are efficiently separated from the outside.

[0062] Advantageously, the switching means 20 comprise a first and a second hydraulic tube 45, 46 that define internally said greater hydraulic pipeline 15 and said smaller hydraulic pipeline 16 respectively. The first and second hydraulic tube 45, 46 are realized as a single body with the second cylindrical surface 29 to form a first structural element 20 (FIG. 1) obtainable by moulding. In such way, it is particularly simplified the realization of the switching device 100.

[0063] According to a particularly preferred aspect, said first, second and third distal hydraulic conduit 1, 2, 3 and the proximal hydraulic branch 6 are realized as a single body with said first cylindrical surface 9 to form a second structural element 10 obtainable, or obtained, by moulding. In addition, the switching device 100 comprises a three way hydraulic fitting 30 (FIG. 2) hydraulically connectable to said proximal hydraulic branch 6 to provide said hydraulic bifurcation 17 together with said proximal hydraulic branch 6. This further simplifies the realization of the switching device 100 and its respective assembly.

[0064] It is preferable that the first way of the three way hydraulic fitting 30 could be fitted on said proximal hydraulic branch 6 with the respective remaining two ways which define said fourth and fifth distal hydraulic conduit 4, 5, respectively. When, as in the appended figures, the first way fits the hydraulic branch with the connection of the three ways arranged at the proximal hydraulic branch 6, this latter can be provided with another through hole 8 to connect hydraulically the proximal hydraulic branch 6 to the fifth distal hydraulic conduit 5. Alternatively, the first way of the three-way hydraulic fitting 30 can have greater length than the proximal hydraulic branch 6, so that the connection of the three ways is arranged outside the proximal hydraulic branch 6.

[0065] According to another aspect of the invention, said first, second and third distal hydraulic conduit 1, 2, 3, the proximal hydraulic branch 6, the fourth and the fifth distal hydraulic conduit 4, 5 are realized as a single body with said first cylindrical surface 9 to form a structural element comprising said second structural element 10.

[0066] The greater hydraulic pipeline 15 and/or the smaller hydraulic pipeline 16 can be rectilinear. In addition to simplify the realization of the switching means 20, this avoids also that such hydraulic pipelines 15, 16 have areas in which the liquid can stagnate and favour the accumulation of blood coagula. Therefore, such pipelines do not need respective washing procedures before passing from an operative configuration to the other one.

[0067] Moreover, it is preferred an embodiment of the switching device 100 in which the greater hydraulic pipeline 15 and the smaller hydraulic pipeline 16 are parallel with respect to each other.

[0068] According to an aspect of the invention, said first, second, third and fourth opening 11, 12, 13, 14, said first, second, third and fourth hole 21, 22, 23, 24 have preferably the same dimensions. This allows to obtain more regular hydraulic flows and to guarantee high sealing.

[0069] It is particularly preferred that the first, second, third and fourth distal hydraulic conduit 1, 2, 3, 4 are coplanar with respect to each other to minimize the space taken by the switching device 100 thus reducing the discomfort of the patient. Moreover, in such case, said second structural element 10 and/or said structural element are easier to be produced.

[0070] It is preferable that the first, second, third and fourth distal hydraulic conduit 1, 2, 3, 4 are substantially coplanar, rectilinear and inclined with respect to a radial direction R, passing across the centre of the circumference of the first cylindrical surface and across the centre of the respective opening of a fourth angle between 20 and 45 (see FIG. 5). In such way, the switching device 100 is less cumbersome and this guarantees more ergonomic positioning and less discomfort for the patient. In addition, while the fourth angle increases, the bending of the connection tubes between the distal hydraulic conduits 1, 2, 3, 4, and: the three way catheter; the urine collection device and the suction device is more avoided. On the contrary, there will be an increasing bending while the fourth angle is reduced. Therefore, the efficacy of the switching device 100 increases while the amplitude of the fourth angle increases. For such reason, it is increasingly preferable that the fourth angle is between 30 and 45; 35 and 45; 40 and 45. Advantageously, the fourth angle is substantially equal to 45 since as a consequence the first, second, third and fourth distal hydraulic conduit 1, 2, 3, 4 are parallel with respect to each other and available in parallel to the legs of the patient. Therefore, the switching device 100 is yet less cumbersome and so less troublesome for the patient and bending of said connection tubes is avoided.

[0071] In order that the switching device 100 is rendered yet less cumbersome and that it is avoided that the connection tube with the infusion tubing of the supplying system bends, it is preferable that the fifth distal hydraulic conduit 5 has a respective longitudinal axis forming a fifth angle between 135 and 160 (preferably equal to 160) with the longitudinal axis of the fourth distal tube 4.

[0072] This improves the conveying of the washing liquid from respective supplying system to the third way of the catheter. In such case, when the first, second, third and fourth distal hydraulic conduit 1, 2, 3, 4 are coplanar, it is preferable that the longitudinal axis of the fifth distal hydraulic conduit 5 is arranged on a plane inclined of 45-90 (preferably 90) with respect to the plane in which the remaining distal hydraulic conduits 1, 2, 3, 4 lie.

[0073] Advantageously, the switching means 20 comprise a grasp element 25 (FIGS. 1 and 2) to carry out said mutual rotations. The grasp element 25 is arranged superiorly on the second cylindrical surface 29 and, preferably, outside the housing 7. Moreover, it can be realized as a single body as well with the second cylindrical surface 7, and comprised in said second structural element 20 obtainable by moulding.

[0074] Moreover, it is advantageous a kit for bladder catheterization, comprising: a switching device 100 according to the invention; a three way bladder catheter, and a suction device of liquids enclosed in a sterile or sterilizable pack.

[0075] The disclosed switching device 100 is obviously sterile or sterilizable.

[0076] What above described has been described only as a way of not limiting example, possible practice-applicative variants are intended to be in the protective scope of the invention as above described and claimed in the following.