Intermittment Catheters for People Who Self-Cath

This article gives some information about the different types of Intermittent Catheters by Coloplast so that you can be better informed about each type.  One thing about Intermittent Catheters is that they come in sizes that are referred to as “French Size” this is the diameter of the catheter.  The most common size for adults is 14fr.

A quick look at the difference between Intermittent Catheters and Indwelling or Foley Catheters:

• Intermittent Catheters are inserted just long enough to drain the bladder, and are then removed.

Self-Cath

Coloplast’s formally Mentor's most popular intermittent catheter is the self-cath.  It is 100% latex-free medical grade pvc, with a siliconized surface for smooth insertion, a narrowed Bullet-Shaped Tip for easy passage, and fire-polished eyelets (refined/melted to make it smooth) as opposed to cold punched eyelets (hole punched by a machine, which is what other manufacturers offer; this can be more traumatic to the urethra, and painful, which can be very important when you cath many times per day.)  The eyelets are also offset, to improve emptying.  So Coloplast prides themselves on the Self-Cath being the least traumatic to the urethra and thus less likely to promote UTI’s and pain.

Self-Cath Straight Tip:

These come in many varieties:

Male, Female, and Pediatrics in a variety of diameters from 8fr up to 18fr.  The 450 comes in curved packaging, good for smaller backpacks or for patients with limited manual dexterity.  The female catheter is only 6” long because the female urethra is only about 2” long.  There is also a soft version, which is flexible like the “red rubber” latex catheters but because it does not contain latex (which many people are allergic to), is smoother, and it is clear so you can see better.

Self-Cath Coude:

The Self-Cath also comes with two different coude tips that have a guide stripe Tapered, and Olive Tip.  Coude is French for “elbow”.  These have a curved tip.  When a patient uses one of the coude Self-Caths, they will never want to change – it is the best out there!

These coude tip catheters were created because the tip promotes easier penetration when impacting an obstruction or bend in the urethra; making it less traumatic than a straight tip.  Particularly useful for patients with an enlarged prostate or urethral stricture (abnormal contraction).  Many manufactures weld or glue on the curved tip, whereas these coude catheters are one-piece in order to eliminate the risk of th tip breaking off in the urethra or bladder during use.  Coloplast’s Self Cath Coude also boast a guide stripe, so you can position the tip at the optimal position during the whole insertion and withdrawal process.  You insert it with the blue guide stripe at the 12:00 o’clock so the tip is pointing upward.  The eyelets are positioned on the sides of the guide stripe, so that they do not hit the pressure points of the bends, further reducing tissue trauma and pain.  If the catheter twists during insertion, you will see the guide stripe slip from the 12:00 o’clock position; and you just realign it.

Self-Cath Closed System:

This system is designed to reduce UTI’s because it has an introducer tip and it enables the patient to cath without touching the catheter.  The “Self-Cath Closed System” has a bag that contains a lubricated catheter.  This system is designed so that the patient’s hands do not make direct contact with the catheter, and the catheter does not touch the meatus.  The “meatus” is the entry hole to the urethra.  The introducer tip is placed just insde the “meatus”, so the catheter bypasses 90% of the bacteria it would normally contact.  This Self-Cath closed system is available with all the various types of Self-Cath – so you have the firs polished eyelets and the straight tip, coude tip, male and female Self cath available inside this closed bag system.

Self-Cath Hydrogel:

This catheter system is easy, convenient, and ready to use.  The proprietary micro-bead lubricant coating minimizes urethral friction, at the same time the introducer tip helps in reducing bacterial contamination while the catheter is being inserted.  The built-in extension sleeve lowers the need for transfers and provides a means for less contact with the catheter during usage.  A suction cup, at the exit of the extension tube, makes it easy to secure to the inside of the toilet bowl (with lid closed to prevent splashing).  Comes with Self-Cath Striaght Tip Catheter.

Self-Cath Plus Hydrophilic-Coated Catheter:

“Plus” means hydrophilic.  Sometimes referred to as lubricious.  This 100% latex free catheter has a hydrophilic coating that activates immediately upon exposure to water, for fast, clean lubrication and maximum ease of use.  Other hydrophilic coated catheters on the market are not so well made or as quick to use.  Most have a painted on coating, which can lead to non-uniform surface (ouch) and peeling off of the coating as the urethra scrapes it off.  Also most require 60 seconds after contacting them with water before they are ready for use.  Self-Cath Plus has a uniform covalently bonded hydrophilic coating that does not peel off, and is activated instantaneously by exposure to water so it is immediately ready for use.  The Self-Cath Plus come in male, female, soft, and pediatric, as well as coude.

Note: The Self-Cath Plus has an uncoated GripZone about 2 inches long at the top, before the hydrophilic coating starts, for total control handling.  After the GripZone, it is smooth all the way down the catheter, so no worries about non-uniform lubrication efforts.  It does not require the patient to add lubricant such as gel, but does need water added.