Flexi – Non-infectious Urinary Catheter - (3 patents)

10 WEEK - In collaboration with Joakim Bergbom and Umeå University Hospital (Urology Department)

Documentation of patent and assembly created during the project

"This is the most neglected area within healthcare"

– Roger Feneley, Emeritus Consultant Urologist to the North Bristol NHS Trust, Visiting Professor, University of the West of England

Enlarged prostate affects 80% of all men after the age of 80. When the prostate grows, it slowly closes the urinary tract which disables the user from voiding. Todays long term catheter was developed in 1930s (see picture) and is solving that problem while creating new ones like Infections due to the catheters design.  This project was initiated by researchers at Umeå University and led to 3 patents which is pending and will hopefully help many elderly in the future.

- By 2050 the amount of men that will suffer from enlarged prostate is projected to be 137 million worldwide

Today 80% of the catheterisations leads to urinary tract infection, this means that the patients are bound to revisit hospitals for treatment and additional care. This demands the time and effort of all parties involved, it results in considerable costs for society and is emotional draining for the patient in some cases seen as extremely humiliating.

Conclusions

Today’s Intermittent Urinary Catheter is cousing a lot of pain, infections and a reduced quality of life for the users. The product should consider the urinary track’s shape and the movement/function of the bladder to function well and reduce infections and discomfort.

"The best would be if the catheter could be stiff when inserted but soft when being used"

RESULT