finGrip

Was es macht

finGrip is a catheter system designed for safe, easy use by people with low dexterity. It consists of an multi-use grip tool and a single-use cartridge housing the catheter, reducing waste and enabling seamless urine transfer from wheelchair to toilet.

Deine Inspiration

There are several videos on YouTube of quadriplegics sharing their experiences with different self-catheterizing techniques and different catheter kits. The solutions that worked better used huge amounts of single use plastic and had to involve clever workarounds for their low dexterity. Touching the catheter would pose the huge risk of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) on the user. Seeing their struggle emptying their bladder I wanted to create a solution that solves their low dexterity usability problems and reduces plastic waste.

So funktioniert es

finGrip consists of two parts: a single-use cartridge that focuses on plastic waste reduction and a multi-use Grip-Tool designed for ergonomics. The paper cartridge uses plastic only where essential as a sterile barrier for the catheter. When connected, the cartridge opens easily, unfolding the algae urine bag. The Grip helps to use the catheter without touching it. Sliding the fin extrudes the catheter, aiding users with low dexterity by shifting movements to more proximal joints, allowing for larger, easier controlled movement. The algae urine bag can be disposed of in the toilet. Notpla, a company known for soluble algae bags, could provide the technology. An enzyme seam on the outside layer would break it apart immediately when in contact with water, releasing the urine and leaving two algae tissues for dissolution, thus not posing any problems for sewage. The catheter can be retracted into the cassette for discreet disposal in public bathroom bins.

Designprozess

After an extensive desk research, I tested several catheter packaging designs from different brands with simulated low dexterity hands. The biggest identified pain points were maintaining catheter sterility, transferring urine to the toilet from a wheelchair, opening packaging with low dexterity and stigma when disposing in public bathrooms. With the insights of the research, I started developing cardboard and playdough models. I played through the user journey in several configurations and evaluated how well they solve different pain points. In an iterative design process, I tested different shapes, mechanisms and urine transfer systems. While evaluating my concepts I consulted a low dexterity catheter user for feedback on my designs. To clear up any remaining doubts I proved the catheter extrusion mechanism of my most promising concept with a Lego-model. I scanned the playdough model of the best concept and imported it in CAD. Several 3D printed prototypes followed to adjust the surfacing and details to further optimize handling. The final prototype, partially functional, was printed in resin and integrated real catheter components in the cartridge.

Warum es anders ist

Current catheter designs try to solve every aspect of use in one product thus compromising on ergonomics, plastic waste reduction or discreet appeal. As catheters are medical single use products and must not be recycled the impact of the design is huge. By separating the catheter into two components these challenges can be addressed individually. The multi-use tool is designed for usability and durability. It is not as constrained by economic factors as single-use products, allowing for the use of more material to improve ergonomics with better grip and the extruding mechanism. This ensures that users especially with low dexterity can handle the catheter safely and comfortably. The single use cartridge focuses on waste reduction. The shell is made from recycled cardboard which gives the product an appealing lifestyle look. On the inside the catheter tube and its sterile barrier foil are the only plastic components as those are required by medical standards.

Pläne für die Zukunft

finGrip has been presented to Convatec- a continence care company that sells and develops catheters. Empowered through the positive feedback I want to present it further to potential users and other companies that have an expertise in developing medical products. As better catheter solutions are demanded by the users, there is a chance that a company might be interested in developing innovative catheters.

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