Most people have heard of "catheters", but not many people understand the importance of catheters in medicine. A catheter is a tube that can be inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel for drainage purposes. The process of inserting a catheter is called catheterization.
Disposable catheters were invented in the 1940s by David S. Sheridan. Before Sheridan's disposable catheters existed, red rubber tubes were used and then re-used. This often led to the spread of infection and disease between patients. Sheridan's disposable catheters have been credited with saving thousands of lives.
Catheters are usually constructed from polymers such as latex, thermoplastic elastomers and silicone rubber. Silicone rubber is a preferred material for catheters. Silicone rubber is best because it is unreactive and inert to medical and body fluids.
Catheters come in four types: soft, hard, indwelling and permcath. The most often used catheter is a soft catheter is used. Soft catheters are thin, flexible tubes. There are times when catheters that are larger and solid are needed. These types of catheters are called hard catheters. Indwelling catheters are catheters placed inside the body, temporarily or permanently. A permcath is a permanently inserted catheter.
Medical health providers use catheters for many different drainage uses, such as:
- Drainage of fluid collections in cases of abdominal abscesses
- Drainage of fluid collections in cases of abdominal abscesses
- Direct measurement of blood pressure in an artery or vein
- Administration of intravenous fluids, medication or parenteral nutrition
- Administration of oxygen, volatile anesthetic agents, and other breathing gases into the lungs using a tracheal tube
- Direct measurement of intracranial pressure
- Administration of insulin or other medications, with the use of an infusion set and insulin pump
- Drainage of urine from the kidney by percutaneous
"Foley catheters" are the most commonly known catheters used for urinary drainage. Proper care of a Foley catheter is imperative. The Foley catheter should not be left in place for long periods of time. This can lead to urinary tract infections, narrowing of the urethra, bladder stones or urethral abscesses.
Disposable catheters were invented in the 1940s by David S. Sheridan. Before Sheridan's disposable catheters existed, red rubber tubes were used and then re-used. This often led to the spread of infection and disease between patients. Sheridan's disposable catheters have been credited with saving thousands of lives.
Catheters are usually constructed from polymers such as latex, thermoplastic elastomers and silicone rubber. Silicone rubber is a preferred material for catheters. Silicone rubber is best because it is unreactive and inert to medical and body fluids.
Catheters come in four types: soft, hard, indwelling and permcath. The most often used catheter is a soft catheter is used. Soft catheters are thin, flexible tubes. There are times when catheters that are larger and solid are needed. These types of catheters are called hard catheters. Indwelling catheters are catheters placed inside the body, temporarily or permanently. A permcath is a permanently inserted catheter.
Medical health providers use catheters for many different drainage uses, such as:
- Drainage of fluid collections in cases of abdominal abscesses
- Drainage of fluid collections in cases of abdominal abscesses
- Direct measurement of blood pressure in an artery or vein
- Administration of intravenous fluids, medication or parenteral nutrition
- Administration of oxygen, volatile anesthetic agents, and other breathing gases into the lungs using a tracheal tube
- Direct measurement of intracranial pressure
- Administration of insulin or other medications, with the use of an infusion set and insulin pump
- Drainage of urine from the kidney by percutaneous
"Foley catheters" are the most commonly known catheters used for urinary drainage. Proper care of a Foley catheter is imperative. The Foley catheter should not be left in place for long periods of time. This can lead to urinary tract infections, narrowing of the urethra, bladder stones or urethral abscesses.
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To learn more about medical catheter manufacturing and catheter production , please visit Interface Catheter Solutions' website.
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