Catheters
Posted on 16. Feb, 2009 by Dave in Mobility Aids
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Catheters are devices made of silicone, rubber, or Teflon that are inserted into natural or man-made body cavities to facilitate the passage of fluids, medications, or medical equipment. The catheter has been around for thousands of years, and comes from a Greek word which means “to sound” by using a probe. Ancient Egyptians used reeds to plug open body orifices, while ancient Greeks used hollow metal rods to drain fluids from the body. In the ’50s and ’60s, medical institutions used PVC or nylon tubings to drain fluids from the body.
Materials commonly used to construct catheters
Silicone is the most widely used material for catheters as it is inert and unreactive to bodily fluids, medications, and other chemicals. It is also less prone to cause cell death and is more resistant to bacterial colonization. However, silicone polymers are often weak and prone to fractures and breakage. In some instances, surgery has been required to remove leftover silicone portions of catheters which have broken down while inside the body cavity. Other materials used in making catheters include silicone rubber latex and thermoplastic elastomers.
Functions of a catheter
A catheter is used for various purposes. These include:
- Draining of urine to prevent the retention of urine and bladder distention
- Collection of fluid such as blood after surgery or pus in the event of an infection in the abdominal cavities
- Administration of intravenous fluids or drugs into the body
- Surgical procedures such as angioplasty, angiography, balloon septostomy, and balloon sinuplasty
- Measurement of arterial blood pressure
- Administration of anesthetic medications into the spinal cord as preparation for surgery
- Subcutaneous injection of medications
Major types of catheters
The three major types of catheters are the coronary, renal, and infusion catheters. Coronary catheters are used in angioplasty and angiography or any other procedure that involves the heart and the blood vessels. Renal catheters on the other hand are used in the kidney, whether it is for draining urine, blood, pus and fluid through the ureters or for draining urine through the pelvis or the kidneys. The Foley catheter is one of the most popular types of catheters. It has three openings — one for urine output, another for the balloon, and another opening for bladder irrigation. The balloons in most catheters are used to stabilize the catheter and prevent it from being dislodged. The balloon can vary in sizes, from 5 cc to 30 cc. The balloon can be inflated with sterile water or air. Infusion catheters are used to deliver medication directly to the body.
