| 摘要 |
A novel urinary catheter, hygiene unit and daily process for cleansing this catheter while in place within the user's bladder. This equipment and process are intended to reduce the occurrence of urinary tract infections and associated sepsis in individuals with chronic, long-term indwelling urinary catheters. Pressurized fluids delivered through a specially configured catheter dislodge, rinse and remove bacteria and bacterial growth medium formed by mucus, crystalline urinary deposits and urinary debris from the inner aspect or urinary lumen of the catheter. Special safety features of the catheter provide for a separation of the inner aspects of the catheter from the bladder lumen while the cleansing process is occuring and prevent attachment of the hygiene unit to the catheter unless this separation is accomplished. These safety features prevent the introduction of cleansing fluids into the user's body. The hygiene unit accomplishes this cleansing process by pumping sterile water and cleansing fluids in an orderly predetermined sequence at the required flow rates, volumes and composition. The hygiene unit is equipped with a "Unit" function so that it can clean itself and also a safety function, so that it shuts itself off when its fluid reservoirs are empty.
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