Importance

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Abstract

An indwelling urethral catheter (10) includes a flexible catheter drainage shaft (18) defining a drainage canal with a valve (32) mounted therein. The catheter is mounted in a urethral canal by means of a bladder-located Foley-type balloon (22) and an inflatable balloon lead shaft (24) which extends along the catheter drainage shaft. The valve (32) is normally biased to a closed position, but is actuatable to an open position by external hand manipulation of a penis in which the catheter is implanted. The catheter (10) also includes a discardable sleeve (12) which is severably attached to the distal end of the catheter (10), on the proximal side of the balloon (22). After insertion into the urethra, the balloon (22), and its lead shaft (24) are inflated through a 'basketball' type contraction valve (44). Gentle traction is then applied axially to a catheter sleeve head (46) to sever the sleeve from the remainder of the catheter (10) so that it may be withdrawn from the urethra and discarded, leaving the remainder of the catheter (10) in a position whereby the most proximal end does not extend to the penile meatus.

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First Claim