Due to the continuous emergence of new technologies and materials, catheters are being updated in terms of material and design. The choice of catheter must take into account the patient’s overall condition, such as the degree of injury, the functional status of the hand, the degree of visual impairment, the degree of urethral sensitivity, gender, age, and economic status. Patients often need to try several different types of catheters before making a final choice. Clinical nurses need to understand the characteristics of various types of catheters in order to guide patients to make the correct and reasonable choice. Types of intermittent catheters The common types of catheters available today include uncoated catheters, coated catheters, and closed
systems.) Uncoated catheters, also known as plain catheters, are commonly used for clean intermittent catheterization techniques and are recommended to be lubricated for use. Some of them are made of latex and some are not. Latex-free catheters are by far the most commonly used and are made of medical grade plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or silicone and come in a variety of different softnesses and larger spans of diameter. Red rubber catheters contain a latex component and are not suitable for patients with latex allergies. These catheters are softer and can be difficult to insert. Coated catheters are available for clean intermittent catheterization and sterile intermittent catheterization techniques, depending on the design. There are two types of catheters, antibiotic-coated and hydrophilic-coated, which are not reusable. The antibiotic coating may have an antibacterial effect locally and some antibiotic coated catheters also have a hydrophilic coating as well. The problem with these catheters is that the patient may have an allergy to the antibiotic coating and the possibility of superinfection. A hydrophilic coated catheter is an entire PVC
A hydrophilic polymer, primarily polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), is wrapped around the entire catheter. It is a safe, non-allergenic substance that has been used in medical products and in the cosmetics industry. When this catheter comes into contact with water, the PVP coating attracts water molecules and produces a biocompatible salt coating that wraps around the surface of the catheter, resulting in an outer structure whose main component is water. This thick, flat, smooth structure on the surface of the catheter ensures that the catheter remains lubricated during insertion and withdrawal, thus reducing friction between the catheter and the urethral mucosa, which is why this type of catheter is also called an ultra-slip catheter. Closed catheter systems have a lubricant or hydrophilic or antimicrobial coating on the surface of the catheter, and the catheter is directly integrated into the collection bag. Most closed catheter systems are designed with an introducer tip of approximately 15 mm in length to prevent catheterization.
tip to prevent contamination of the catheter and introduction of bacteria into the bladder. The operator cannot directly touch the catheter with his or her hand during catheterization, so there are certain requirements for hand function. The type of intermittent catheter is the same as the indwelling catheter, 6~12 Fr for children and 10~16 Fr for adults (10~14 Fr for men and 14~16 Fr for women).
Fr). Due to the difference in anatomy, patients of different genders can choose different lengths of catheters according to their needs. Men may choose a 12-inch (approximately 40 cm) length. Females and children do not require a length greater than 6
inches (approximately 20
(about 20 cm). Shorter catheters are less prone to coiling and knotting and facilitate urine drainage and patient self-manipulation. Of course, different application scenarios will have different requirements for catheter length, and the appropriate size should be selected based on the actual situation.