Indwelling Urinary Catheterization Assembly

Abstract

An indwelling urinary catheter assembly is disclosed having an indwelling catheter and a sheath enclosing an insertable portion of the indwelling catheter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An indwelling urinary catheter assembly comprising:
 an indwelling catheter comprising a first end having a urine inlet, a second end having a urine outlet, a takeoff port having a port bore, an expander, and a urethra insertable portion, wherein the urine inlet and urine outlet are in fluid communication with one another and wherein the port bore and the expander are in fluid communication with one another;   a pliable sheath comprising a lumen, wherein the sheath encloses at least a portion of the insertable portion; and   an introducer attached to the sheath, wherein the introducer is dimensioned and configured to enclose and support the first end when in an initial position, the introducer slidingly receives the insertable portion during insertion of the insertable portion into the urethra of a patient, wherein the introducer is dimensioned and configured to be partially inserted into the urethra of a patient, and the introducer together with the sheath encloses all of the urethra-insertable portion when in the initial position;   wherein the sheath further comprises a first terminus having a first collar, the first collar being fixed to the introducer, and a second terminus directly coupled to an area of the catheter that includes a portion of the takeoff port;   and wherein the second terminus comprises a second collar having at least one vent in fluid communication with the lumen and an environment outside the sheath, the vent being dimensioned and configured to relieve a pressure build-up within the sheath.   
     
     
         2 . The indwelling catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second terminus sealingly engages the catheter at an attachment point at the area including the portion of the takeoff port. 
     
     
         3 . The indwelling catheter assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a non-insertable portion, wherein at least part of the non-insertable portion comprises an uncovered region of the indwelling catheter outside the sheath. 
     
     
         4 . The indwelling catheter assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a urine receptacle coupled to the non-insertable portion of the catheter. 
     
     
         5 . The indwelling catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is removeably attached to the indwelling catheter. 
     
     
         6 . The indwelling catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the indwelling catheter has a total length from the first end to the second end, wherein the indwelling catheter is prelubricated from the first end to a point located at one-third of the length from the first end. 
     
     
         7 . The indwelling catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the introducer comprises a lubricant reservoir operable to lubricate the insertable portion. 
     
     
         8 . The indwelling catheter assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a fixation tab extending from introducer. 
     
     
         9 . An indwelling urinary catheter assembly comprising:
 an indwelling catheter comprising a first end having a urine inlet, a second end having a urine outlet, a takeoff port having a port bore, an expander, and a urethra insertable portion; wherein the urine inlet and urine outlet are in fluid communication with one another and wherein the port bore and the expander are in fluid communication with one another; and   a pliable sheath comprising a lumen, wherein the sheath further comprises a first terminus that extends beyond the tip and completely encloses the tip, and a second terminus directly coupled to an area of the catheter that includes a portion of the takeoff port;   wherein the second terminus comprises a collar having at least one vent in fluid communication with the lumen and an environment outside the sheath, the vent being dimensioned and configured to relieve a pressure build-up within the sheath.   
     
     
         10 . The indwelling catheter assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the sheath is removeably attached to the indwelling catheter. 
     
     
         11 . The indwelling catheter assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the sheath further comprises a pull tab associated with a tear line on the sheath, wherein the tear line is pre-weakened so as to permit the sheath to tear under a slight to moderate force applied by a user. 
     
     
         12 . The indwelling catheter assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the indwelling catheter is coated with a bacteriostatic or bactericidal agent.