Methods and devices for aseptic irrigation, urine sampling, and flow control of urine from a catheterized bladder

Abstract

A connector system includes a catheter connector port to attach to a urinary catheter, a urine exit port to connect to a urine collection device, an irrigation port to receive an irrigation syringe, and an internal valve. The irrigation port includes a pliable membrane that has a self-sealing opening to allow a tip of the syringe to extend therethrough. The internal valve cooperates with the syringe to shut off flow of fluid to the urine exit port when the syringe is inserted and allow for flow of fluid to the urine exit port when the syringe is removed. A distance between a proximal surface of the membrane and a distal end of the internal valve is such that the tip of the syringe can extend from a proximal end of the self-sealing opening to the distal end of the internal valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of irrigating a urinary catheter comprising:
 draining urine from an indwelling urinary catheter through a catheter connector port, a channel and out through a urine exit port;   simultaneously opening an irrigation port and closing off flow to the urine exit port; and   injecting irrigation fluid through the irrigation port, the channel, the catheter connector port and into the catheter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the irrigation port surface is sanitized prior to insertion of the irrigation syringe. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising simultaneously closing the irrigation port and opening the urine exit port, thereby allowing urine to drain from the indwelling urinary catheter through the channel and out the urine exit port. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of simultaneously opening the irrigation port and closing the urine exit port comprises moving a valve from a first position in which the urine exit port is in fluid communication with the catheter connector port to a second position in which the urine exit port is not in fluid communication with the catheter connector port. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the moving step comprises moving the valve with a distal tip of a syringe. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising inserting the syringe through a self-sealing opening in the irrigation port. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of simultaneously opening the irrigation port and closing the urine exit port comprises inserting a syringe through the irrigation port and into a valve. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of simultaneously opening the irrigation port and closing the urine exit port further comprises seating an outside surface of the syringe in a valve seat of the valve. 
     
     
         9 . A method of operating a urinary catheter system comprising:
 establishing flow of urine from an indwelling urinary catheter through a connector and into a drainage bag;   actuating a valve to stop the urine flow; and   permitting the valve to automatically open after a time period without operator intervention.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the actuating step comprises expanding a balloon to block flow through the connector. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the permitting step comprises permitting the balloon to deflate. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the expanding step comprises compressing a valve actuation chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the expanding step comprises injecting fluid into the balloon with a syringe. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating a urinary catheter system comprising:
 establishing flow of urine from an indwelling urinary catheter through a connector and valve opening and into a urine drainage connector;   inflating a balloon manually to stop the urine flow through the valve opening and drainage connector; and   deflating the balloon manually to allow urine to flow through the valve opening and drainage connector.