Importance

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Abstract

The appliance lubricates and disinfects the catheter, tube, or other article, as the catheter is inserted into or maintained in a patient's urethra or other body opening. It also mildly anesthetizes the interior of the body opening itself. A contoured shield covers the body site through which the article extends; the shield has flexible stabilizing flaps or a sealing band, or a flange, to fit against the patient's penis or perineum. The catheter is threaded through the conduit, which penetrates the appliance. A reservoir is secured outside or, preferably, inside the appliance. The shield is transparent, and the reservoir contains a conspicuous disinfectant/lubricant/analgesic substance. The reservoir is positioned to provide the user an unobstructed line of sight for ready and accurate positioning of the guide conduit and thus the catheter. Membranes across the conduit retain the substance in the appliance. The membranes are broken at the time of insertion to release the substance into contact with the article and the body passageway. The membranes are broken either by the article itself, as it is threaded through the appliance and inserted into the body, or by manual squeezing of part of the appliance.

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First Claim