A medical catheter is a tube that can be placed in a body cavity, a vessel, or a duct. It was used as early as 1868 after Dr. N.B. Sornborger received patent #73402 for the ‘Syringe and Catheter.’ However, it was not until the 1940′s when the ‘Catheter King,’ David Sheridan invented the modern disposable catheter. During his lifetime he sold four different companies specializing in catheter’s thereby earning him the nickname by Forbes Magazine in 1988. Catheters date back to even earlier times, without patents, to Benjamin Franklin. He invented a flexible catheter to control a bladder stone from which his brother was suffering.

Today medical catheters are used for a variety of purposes. These include draining urine from the urinary bladder; drainage of fluid collections also known as adbominal abscess; administering intravenous fluids; angioplasty; an umbilical line which is a catheter used in Neonatal Intensive Care Units to provide quick access to the central ciruculation of premature infants; among a number of other medical catheters.

Generally a medical catheter is constructed from a range of polymers including latex, rubber, and silicone. Since silicone is inert and unreactive to body fluids, it is the most common choice to use. There are different catheters tips which are used to guide the catheter into the cavity where it is going.

Some catheters such as the Bard Medical, allows a person to self-catheterize in a discreet manner and it is easy to use. These are generally constructed from non-latex or latex materials – whichever is most appropriate for the patients should they have a latex allergy. Although patients often find this catheter difficult to use, it becomes much easier with practice.

An example of using a catheter involves a number of steps. First, the patient much be prepared. First, the patient needs the Bard Medical catheter, a drainage bag, an irrigation syringe, genital cleansing solution, a drainage bag, and an elastic leg strap. Optional material, which should always be on hand, includes paper towels, sterile gloves, medical tape, and antibacterial soap.

Prior to beginning the insertion process the patient must thoroughly wash their hands with warm water and antibacterial soap. After drying the hands the sterile gloves should be put on. Next, the catheterization kit needs to be opened. The patient will now fill the irrigation syringe with 10 cc of clean water. The lubricant should be applied a couple of inches near the tip of the catheter. The patient needs to be seated in a comfortable position that also allows the legs to be spread.

Next, use the genital cleansing solution to cleanse the genital area. The patient is now ready to slowly and gently put the catheter into the urethra. First, inject the 10 cc of liquid by placing it into the small tube located near the drainage end of the catheter. This will inflate the balloon at the tip. After the inflation is successful this will assure that the catheter remains in place. Medical tape can be used to tape the catheter to the body. This offers extra insurance if there is a fear it will not remain in place. The drainage bag will now be attached to the other end of the catheter. This should be secured to the patients leg, using the elastic leg strap.

This is not the way all catheters are inserted. There are a variety of catheters and most of them have a specific way it is inserted into the cavity. Too, a number of catheters are not self-inserted; instead, they might be inserted at a doctor’s office or in the hospital.

Patients who have a catheter should significantly increase the amounts of fluid they drink per day. This will help to dilute the urine while helping the catheter to drain well. The recommended increase is an extra eight ounces of fluid every two or three hours. Certain fluids that are known to irritate the bladder should be avoided. These include soft drinks, tea, coffee, and alcohol.

Some medical catheters are reused for different reasons. These need to be thoroughly washed each day in a strong solution consisting of soap and water. The mixture should contain a solution of antibacterial soap in warm water. The irrigation syringe should then be filled with the solution. Next, the end of the irrigation syringe should be attached to the end of the catheter and flushed with the solution. These steps should be repeated until the catheter looks clean. This should be followed with clear, warm water used to flush the catheter. Following the cleaning of the catheter it should then be placed on a dry paper towel. If the catheter is reused, without proper cleaning, this increases the risk of urinary tract infections.

Medical catheters have improved procedures for thousands and thousands of people – in a doctor’s office, in a hospital, as well as in homes. Chances are strong that catheters will continue to be improved with the passing of time.

Photo: Precision Group