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.
David S. Sheridan invented the disposable catheter in the 1940s. Prior to his invention, rubber tubes were used and then re-used which often heightened the risk of infection and led to the spread of disease between patients. For this reason, Sheridan is 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.
There are four types of catheters: indwelling, permcath, hard and soft. Indwelling catheters are catheters placed inside the body, temporarily or permanently. A permcath is a permanently inserted catheter. There are times when catheters that are larger and solid are needed. These types of catheters are called hard catheters. The most often used catheter is a soft catheter is used. Soft catheters are thin, flexible tubes.
Catheters are used for various drainage uses, such as:
- Drainage of urine from the kidney by percutaneous
- Administration of intravenous fluids, medication or parenteral nutrition
- Administration of intravenous fluids, medication or parenteral nutrition
- 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
- Administration of oxygen, volatile anesthetic agents, and other breathing gases into the lungs using a tracheal tube
- Draining urine from the urinary bladder as in urinary catheterization
- Administration of insulin or other medications, with the use of an infusion set and insulin pump
The most commonly known catheter is known as the "Foley catheter" used for urinary drainage. If you or someone you are providing care for are sent home with a Foley catheter, keep in mind that the 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.
David S. Sheridan invented the disposable catheter in the 1940s. Prior to his invention, rubber tubes were used and then re-used which often heightened the risk of infection and led to the spread of disease between patients. For this reason, Sheridan is 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.
There are four types of catheters: indwelling, permcath, hard and soft. Indwelling catheters are catheters placed inside the body, temporarily or permanently. A permcath is a permanently inserted catheter. There are times when catheters that are larger and solid are needed. These types of catheters are called hard catheters. The most often used catheter is a soft catheter is used. Soft catheters are thin, flexible tubes.
Catheters are used for various drainage uses, such as:
- Drainage of urine from the kidney by percutaneous
- Administration of intravenous fluids, medication or parenteral nutrition
- Administration of intravenous fluids, medication or parenteral nutrition
- 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
- Administration of oxygen, volatile anesthetic agents, and other breathing gases into the lungs using a tracheal tube
- Draining urine from the urinary bladder as in urinary catheterization
- Administration of insulin or other medications, with the use of an infusion set and insulin pump
The most commonly known catheter is known as the "Foley catheter" used for urinary drainage. If you or someone you are providing care for are sent home with a Foley catheter, keep in mind that the 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.
