Foley catheter
A Foley catheter is a medical device used to facilitate urine drainage from the bladder in patients who are unable to urinate due to various medical conditions or in cases of incontinence. This indwelling catheter remains in place for a set duration, and it can be utilized either temporarily or permanently depending on the patient's needs. The design of the Foley catheter, developed in the 1930s by urologist Frederic Foley, includes a latex or silicone tube with a small balloon that, once inserted, can be inflated to secure the catheter in position. There are two main types of Foley catheters: two-way, which has one outlet for urine and another for inflating the balloon, and three-way, which includes an additional outlet for irrigating the bladder. Available in various diameters, Foley catheters aim to minimize discomfort and reduce the risk of complications compared to earlier catheter designs. While they are beneficial in many medical situations, potential issues such as urinary tract infections and allergic reactions can arise from their use. Understanding both the advantages and risks associated with Foley catheters is essential for patients and healthcare providers alike.
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Foley catheter
The Foley catheter is a medical device designed to help urine flow out of the bladder. It is used in cases where the patient is unable to urinate because of a medical condition that impedes the flow of urine or in situations where the patient is incontinent, or unable to prevent urination from occurring. The Foley catheter is indwelling, meaning it is left in place for a certain amount of time. It can be used either temporarily or permanently, depending on the patient's condition.
Overview
A catheter is a hollow tube used to move fluids from the inside of the body to the outside, or vice versa. The word catheter comes from the Greek word kathienai, which means "to thrust into" or "to send down." A urinary catheter is inserted into the body through the urethra, the opening through which urine is released.
Urinary catheters are used to help remove urine, the liquid waste products of the body, from the bladder. This can be necessary when a patient is temporarily or permanently unable to urinate normally. In such cases, urine could build up in the body and create a number of health risks if a catheter is not used. Historians have found evidence that ancient Egyptians developed thin metal tubes to release urine as far back as 3000 BCE. By the Middle Ages, thin slightly curved tubes of silver and other metals were used to accomplish this task.
The Foley catheter was designed in the 1930s by American urologist Frederic Foley. He noted that urinary catheters often fell out, creating discomfort for patients and increasing the risk of complications. He designed a latex tube paired with a separate tube topped with a small balloon. After the catheter is inserted, the balloon can be filled with water or air. It then holds the catheter in place. This represented a great improvement over previous catheter designs. Although the materials have changed over the years, Foley's basic design is still used in the twenty-first century.
Contemporary Foley catheters are usually made of latex but can be made of silicone. Foley catheters are designed as either two-way or three-way catheters, with multiple outlets at both ends of the tube. In a two-way catheter, one outlet serves as the path for urine and the other is used to inflate the small balloon that holds the catheter in place. In a three-way catheter, the third outlet is used to put a sterile irrigation fluid such as saline into the bladder to rinse, or irrigate, it. The end of the catheter outside the body is often attached to a drainage bag that catches the urine.
The tubing of the catheter comes in different diameters for different patients and circumstances. They range from 4 to 10 millimeters, with 4.6 millimeters being the most commonly used size. The balloons also vary in size. The balloon is filled with air or plain water because saline could crystalize and prevent the balloon from deflating.
While catheters can help patients in a wide range of medical situations, they can cause some problems as well. The main concern is the introduction of bacteria that causes a urinary tract infection. They can also trigger allergic reactions and cause physical damage to the urinary tract during insertion or removal.
Bibliography
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