DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
HI : The Infyna Chic urinary catheter is a discreet, ready to use hydrophilic catheter aimed at women who have a clinical requirement to use intermittent catheters. Discretion is vital for women who use intermittent catheters, hence the small form factor and a color that is sensitive to the needs of that audience.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
HI : We achieved a design that is easy to use for everyone of our users by offering them a unique flip cap that is easy to open and close with just one hand, a product that does not leak when reclosed after using, the right catheter stiffness that helps support easy, touch-free insertion as well as a catheter length that helps give confidence the bladder is fully drained and the option to attach to a collection bag without removing the catheter from the case.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
HI : CE approval was in December 2018 so we are going forward into full production.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
HI : It took years of research with users and clinicians to achieve the design we have.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
HI : We are in full production at our sites in the USA and Ireland.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
HI : The target customer of our design are women with a wide range of bladder conditions that require them to use urinary catheters.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
HI : The ease of use and that it can be opened and closed one-handed; the security of the device by knowing that it can be cleanly recaptured and closed in the case, no spill of hydration fluid, its small form factor.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
HI : Very important. We have used sophisticated coating and hydration mechanisms in the product that always guarantee a lubricious ready to use catheter.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
HI : Both! All of our design decisions are highly driven by data. From a market research point of view, we couldn't design products without establishing what the voice of the customer is; and from a manufacturing perspective, when making a sterile Class 2 device in the millions you need to know that every product is going to meet our stringent quality specifications every time.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
HI : This product will empower women by giving them a discreet, simple and elegant way of voiding their bladder when out and about. Knowing that this product is touching and making the lives of those users easier and better is reward in itself!
