Indwelling urinary catheters are associated with urinary tract infections, discomfort, and pain--especially for males. Note: "Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are the most frequent health-care associated infections in the United States." If the catheter is not secured in a straight line, it irritates the sensitive skin at the end of the penis, causing irritation and abrasion. This tension leads to trauma, discomfort, pain, and increased risk of infection. The standard method of stabilizing the catheter is to tape or strap it to a leg, creating a stress point at the penis tip. The standard treatment for discomfort and pain is petroleum jelly and pain medication.
The unique catheter support design eliminates the lateral motion of an indwelling catheter which causes friction and irritation. The small, lightweight unit features a soft, comfortable anti-bacterial foam liner that conforms to patient sizes and is suitable for both short-term and long-term wear. The foam liner is easily replaced for longer-term wear.
Voting
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ABOUT THE ENTRANT
- Name:Rich Kalich
- Type of entry:teamTeam members:Henry Gauthier, Rich Kalich, Art Keating, Rob Simpson, Pete Sucharzewski
- Profession:
- Number of times previously entering contest:never
- Rich's favorite design and analysis tools:Autocad
- Rich's hobbies and activities:skiing, beekeeping, tennis, boating, fishing, shoo
- Rich is inspired by:Finding a need/problem and fixing it.
- Software used for this entry:Solidworks
- Patent status:pending